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A prospective longitudinal study on periodontal bone height changes in a Swedish population
1Department of Periodontology, The Institute for Postgraduate Dental Education, Jönköping, Sweden.
Journal of Clinical Periodontology
|September 13, 2000
Summary
Longitudinal bone height changes in adults show annual bone loss around 0.1 mm from age 20. Destructive periodontal disease affected 17% of individuals, unpredictable by prior disease experience.
Area of Science:
- Periodontology
- Dental Public Health
- Longitudinal Studies
Background:
- Periodontal bone height is a key indicator of oral health.
- Understanding longitudinal changes is crucial for predicting disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess longitudinal changes in periodontal bone height over 17 years in an adult population.
- To identify patterns and prevalence of bone loss in relation to age and disease severity.
Main Methods:
- A 17-year longitudinal study of 429 dentate individuals (aged 15-60 at baseline) in Jönköping, Sweden.
- Clinical and radiographic examinations including full mouth plaque, gingivitis, and bone height measurements.
- Data collected in 1973 and re-examined in 1989-91.
Main Results:
- A general pattern of bone height reduction (approx. 0.1 mm/year) observed from age 20.
- By age 30, 80% of the population had ≥10% bone loss at one or more sites.
- 17% exhibited destructive periodontal disease (≥6 sites with bone loss), which was not predictable by prior disease experience.
Conclusions:
- Adults experience gradual periodontal bone loss over time.
- Destructive periodontal disease affects a significant minority and is difficult to predict.
- Regular monitoring and early intervention are essential for managing periodontal health.
