Abstract:
To determine bone availability in various locations for maillofacial implants by using dental computed tomograms. Computed tomogram data from fifty Thai volunteers were calculated to three-dimension images. Anatomical landmarks were marked according to three organs (eyes, ears and nose). Bone thickness was measured from outer to inner surfaces of bones. The thickness of bone at the orbital region varied from 0.23 to 12.66 mm. due to locations. The result showed that, the thickest area was on lateral part of frontal bone or Supraorbital lateral rim (12.44 mm) and followed by middle part of zygomatic bone or infraorbital lateral rim. The maxillary bone was not suitable for implantation because of the minimal bone thickness. At external ears region, the thickness of temporal bone varied from 0.67-5.78 mm. The thickest parts were at 30 mm from external auditory meatus at 2-oclock direction for the left ear (5.73 mm) and 10-oclock direction for the right ear (5.78 mm). In the nasal region, nasal floor was the best suitable site for implantation. The thickness of bone in this area was 12.14 mm. This study found statistically significant different between males and females and between sides in some areas. It was concluded that, the implantable areas for orbital prosthesis implants should be placed at frontal and zygomatic bone, for ear implants at 28-30 mm from external auditory meatus at 10-oclock direction for the right ear or 2- oclock direction for the left ear and for nose implants at the nasal floor. The data also facilitated in locating the suitable implant surgical sites and designing of new prosthesisbearing craniofacial implants for Thai population.