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Radiographic Study of Ethnic Variation in Alveolar Bone Height Among New Zealand Dental Students
Author(s) -
Wong Benedicta K.J.,
Leichter Jonathan W.,
Chandler Nick P.,
Cullinan Mary P.,
Holborow Doug W.
Publication year - 2007
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.2007.060366
Subject(s) - ethnic group , dentistry , variation (astronomy) , radiography , dental alveolus , medicine , orthodontics , surgery , anthropology , sociology , astrophysics , physics
Background: The aim of this study was to determine anatomical variations in the radiographic distance between the cemento‐enamel junction and the alveolar crest with respect to ethnic heritage and gender in New Zealand dental students. Methods: Digitized bitewing films of 123 second‐year New Zealand dental students were examined with a computer imaging program on a desktop computer screen. The race of parents and grandparents was obtained by questionnaire. Results: The mean distance from the cemento‐enamel junction to the alveolar crest across the sample was 0.97 mm. Eighteen (14.6%) of the participants had measurements >2 mm, of whom 17 were Asians. Asians had a significantly larger mean distance than did non‐Asians (1.10 mm compared to 0.83 mm; P <0.001). Gender was not a significant variable. Conclusions: Students of Asian origin had a significantly greater distance between the cemento‐enamel junction and the alveolar crest. It remains to be determined whether this is anatomical or disease related.