Related Experiment Videos
What alveolar crest level on a bite-wing radiograph represents bone loss?
E Hausmann1, K Allen, V Clerehugh
1Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, State University of New York, Buffalo.
Journal of Periodontology
|September 1, 1991
Summary
Radiographic assessment of incipient periodontal disease requires a clear definition of healthy bone levels. This study establishes the normal cementoenamel junction-to-crest distance on dental radiographs to identify early bone loss.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Periodontology
- Radiology
Background:
- Advanced periodontal disease shows clear alveolar bone loss on radiographs.
- Incipient periodontal disease lacks consensus on radiographic crestal bone loss definition.
- Accurate radiographic assessment needs a reference for healthy bone levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a radiographic reference for healthy alveolar bone height.
- To define the normal range for cementoenamel junction-to-crest distance in the absence of periodontal disease.
Main Methods:
- Measured radiographic cementoenamel junction-to-crest distance.
- Utilized sites with clinical attachment measurements indicating no attachment loss.
- Analyzed data using bite-wing radiographs.
Main Results:
- Determined the normal radiographic cementoenamel junction-to-crest distance.
- Established a range of 0.4 to 1.9 mm (95% confidence limits) as indicative of no crestal bone loss.
Conclusions:
- The radiographic cementoenamel junction-to-crest distance is a reliable measure for assessing crestal bone height.
- A CEJ-crest distance between 0.4 and 1.9 mm on bite-wings suggests no crestal bone loss in incipient periodontal disease.