Abstract
In recent years, the maxillary tuberosity has attracted attention as a donor site for autologous bone grafts and as a potential site for orthodontic implant anchors. To utilize the maxillary tuberosity for bone grafting or for the safe placement of orthodontic anchors, detailed knowledge of its hard tissue morphology is essential. Although it has been reported that the morphology of the maxillary tuberosity varies among races, no detailed anatomical studies have been conducted in the Japanese population.
The purpose of this study was to clarify the hard tissue morphology of the maxillary tuberosity using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data previously acquired for clinical purposes at general dental clinics. CBCT scans of male and female patients aged 20 years or older, obtained at a single institution between July 22, 2019, and July 2, 2023, were used as study materials. A total of 80 maxillary tuberosities were analyzed (41 in males and 39 in females), with a mean age of 43.2 ± 13.9 years.
The bone width of the maxillary tuberosities was significantly greater in males than in females. The cortical bone thickness was significantly greater on the palatal side within the same patient and cross-sectional plane. A slight correlation was observed between age and the vertical bone height of the maxillary tuberosity in some measured cross-sections.
These findings suggest that the anatomical hard tissue morphology of the maxillary tuberosity varies by gender and age, which should be considered when planning bone grafts or orthodontic anchor placement involving this region.
