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Relationships Between Longitudinal Changes in Radiographic Alveolar Bone Height and Probing Depth Measurements: Data From Postmenopausal Women
Author(s) -
Pilgram Thomas K.,
Hildebolt Charles F.,
YokoyamaCrothers Naoko,
Dotson Mary,
Cohen Sheldon C.,
Hauser Jay F.,
Kardaris Eugenia
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.1999.70.8.829
Subject(s) - medicine , alveolar crest , dental alveolus , radiography , dentistry , clinical attachment loss , crest , gingival and periodontal pocket , periodontal disease , orthodontics , surgery , physics , quantum mechanics
Background: The relationship between loss of radiographic alveolar bone height and probing attachment loss has been studied by a number of investigators, with mixed results. Recent studies have found weak correlations and have suggested that the relationship between bone loss and attachment loss is complex, perhaps because changes in bone height and attachment level are separated in time. Methods: The 85 patients in this report were part of a prospective estrogen replacement interventional study. All patients were in good oral health at entry and received annual oral prophylaxis as part of the study. Standard probing measurements were made with a pressure‐sensitive probe at 6 sites on each tooth. Vertical bitewing radiographs were taken of each patient, radiographs were digitized, and 6 linear measurements (corresponding to probing site measurements) were made from the cemento‐enamel junction to the alveolar crest. These procedures were performed at baseline and at annual intervals; this study reports results after 2 years. Data were analyzed both by individual site and by averaging identical sites from all measured teeth for each patient. Results: Very weak direct relationships between change in alveolar bone height and change in attachment level were found in both the site data (r 2 =0.0022; P = 0.189) and the patient average data (r 2 =0.031; P = 0.104 ). Conclusions: The changes in these patients were probably due to systemic changes in bone health rather than to periodontal disease. However, the weak correlations between changes in attachment level and bone height are similar to recent studies of periodontal disease. Our results support suggestions in the literature that the link between changes in attachment and alveolar bone height is complex, perhaps because changes in the 2 tissue types are separated by a considerable time delay. J Periodontol 1999;70:829‐833.