3D Assessment of Mandibular Buccal Shelf Geometry for Optimal Micro-Implant Placement Site in Portuguese Individuals: A Retrospective Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Study

Objectives: To determine the most favourable Micro-Implant (MI) insertion site along the mandibular buccal shelf (MBS), using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Methods: This retrospective study assessed CBCT scans from 90 Portuguese patients (32 males and 58 females, aged 14 to 40 years). Paired MBS sites were determined. Comparative and correlation analyses were performed at p < 0.05. Results: A significant increase in MBS width was observed from the mesial to the distal direction (p < 0.001). Conversely, both the MBS steepness and cortical bone thickness significantly decreased from mesial to distal (p < 0.001). Significant negative correlation was also found between age and cortical bone thickness adjacent to the distobuccal cusp and distal tangent of both mandibular second molars (r ≤ −0.373, p ≤ 0.007). Furthermore, significant asymmetric differences were identified between the right and left MBS steepness as well as in the paired cortical bone thickness at the mesiobuccal cusp, buccal groove, and distobuccal cusp of the mandibular second molar (p ≤ 0.016). Conclusions: The results indicate that although there are sufficient MBS width and cortical bone thickness, vestibular to the mandibular second molar for MI insertion, the sites towards the distal root of the mandibular second molar are more favourable when considering MBS steepness. These findings are consistent for both sexes and apply to young and old individuals.