[Percentual loss of active desmodontioum in horizontal tooth resorption]

Radicular surfaces connected with the bone by the periodontal membrane were measured by means of a galvanic method. The investigation showed that the surface reduction as a function of the length of the root cannot be compared with the surface reduction of a cone, since at least in the coronal quarter of the root, the percent decrease in surface is linear, especially in the case of teeth with several roots. The clinical significance of this investigation becomes evident when evaluating the bone destruction visible in a radiogram related to loading capacity. In the author's investigation an average loss of 60% was found.