Master’s Degree Awarded to Ms. Hanan Al-Nu’amah in Orthodontics
Ms. Hanan Ali Zaid Al-Nu’amah was awarded a Master’s Degree in Orthodontics for her thesis titled: Optimal Infrazygomatic Crest Sites for Insertion of Temporary Anchorage Devices in Different Vertical Facial Patterns: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Study, which was submitted to the Faculty of Dentistry– Sana’a University. The MA defense was held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
The MA Viva-voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:
| # | Committee Members | Designation | Position |
| 1 | Prof. Ghamdan Abdullah Al-Harazi | Internal Examiner | Chair |
| 2 | Prof. Hussein Mohammed Shujaa Al-Deen | Main Supervisor | Member |
| 3 | Prof. Khaled Ahmed Ali Al-Dhara‘i | External Examiner | Member |
The thesis primarily aimed to determine the optimal sites within the infrazygomatic crest (IZC) region for the placement of temporary anchorage devices (TADs) in individuals with different vertical facial patterns using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).
The specific objectives included:
- To measure bone thickness at five vertical levels starting from the apex of the mesiobuccal root of the maxillary first molar.
- To compare measurements among different vertical facial patterns and between males and females.
- To identify the most suitable anatomical locations above the root apices for TAD placement.
The study yielded several key findings summarized as follows:
- Bone thickness in the infrazygomatic crest region gradually decreased as the vertical distance from the mesiobuccal root apex of the maxillary first molar increased.
- The greatest bone thickness was recorded at the level of 1 mm above the root apex, while the lowest values were observed at higher levels, particularly at 5 mm.
- No statistically significant differences were found among different vertical facial patterns or between males and females in most measurements, except for a few levels on the left side where females exhibited greater bone thickness.
- The most important factor in determining the optimal placement site was the precise anatomical location and vertical insertion level rather than facial pattern or sex.
- CBCT proved to be an effective and accurate tool for assessing bone thickness, optimizing TAD placement, and improving clinical success rates in orthodontic treatment.
In light of these findings, the researcher recommended the following:
- Conducting further research on larger and more balanced samples representing different facial patterns, as well as multi-center studies to enhance the generalizability of the findings, while investigating additional anatomical sites and insertion angles.
- Evaluating the relationship between bone thickness and the clinical success rates of TADs, and examining the influence of soft tissue thickness on insertion depth and device stability.
- Clinically, selecting sites close to the root apices—approximately 1 mm above the apex—for TAD placement, exercising caution when inserting devices at greater distances, particularly between 4–5 mm, and using smaller insertion angles in the region between the second premolar and first molar to achieve greater stability.
The defense session was attended by academics, researchers, students of the Faculty of Dentistry, as well as the researcher’s colleagues and family members.
