Accuracy of Crestal Buccal Bone Height Measurements in the Anterior Maxilla Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Publisher



Goodarzipour D ; Ghahramani S ; Kiani N ; Madani Z
Source: Frontiers in Dentistry Published:2026

Abstract

Objectives: Linear measurements play a pivotal role in determining bone quantity. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in measuring the height of buccal bone in the maxillary anterior teeth, relative to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). Materials and Methods: This Original Research study evaluated 33 maxillary anterior teeth (11 central incisors, 11 lateral incisors, and 11 canines) of 20 patients. Following surgical exposure, the distance between the CEJ and the buccal alveolar bone crest was measured with a digital caliper. Measurements were made by an oral radiologist twice with a 3-week interval on CBCT images. Data were analyzed using SPSS, and P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean difference in buccal bone height between CBCT and clinical measurements was 0.45±0.38mm for central incisors, 0.26±0.29mm for lateral incisors, 0.52±0.42 mm for canines, and 0.41±0.37mm overall. No significant difference was detected between the CBCT and direct measurements (P>0.05). The frequency of inaccurate measurements (defined as differences greater than 0.5mm) was 36.4% for central incisors, 9.1% for lateral incisors, and 36.4% for canines. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between the twice-taken CBCT measurements (with a 3-week interval) was 0.972; while the ICC was 0.824 between the CBCT and direct measurements. Conclusion: CBCT may not be accurate enough to assess the position and height of thin buccal bone relative to the CEJ in the anterior maxilla. However, CBCT demonstrated sufficient accuracy in assessing the position of buccal bone crest for lateral incisors. Copyright © 2026 The Authors. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.