Aging quantification on alveolar bone loss

Area of Science:

• Forensic Anthropology
• Dental Medicine
• Periodontology

Background:

• Alveolar bone resorption is a key indicator of periodontal health.
• Age-related changes in alveolar bone levels are significant in forensic and clinical dentistry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure labial alveolar resorption using Lamendin's method.
• To correlate resorption with age at death and quantify age's impact.
• To investigate age-dependent patterns in alveolar bone loss.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 845 anterior monoradicular teeth from male war casualties (aged 23-69).
• Exclusion of teeth with macroscopic pathologic lesions.
• Measurement of labial alveolar bone level using Lamendin's method and regression analysis.

Main Results:

• Labial alveolar resorption increased with age in anterior monoradicular teeth.
• A regular age-dependent pattern was observed in mandibular, but not maxillary, teeth.
• Minimal instances of severe resorption (> 6 mm) were recorded.

Conclusions:

• Age is a significant factor influencing labial alveolar resorption.
• Findings support periodontology as a preventive discipline in dental medicine.
• Understanding age-related resorption aids in forensic age estimation and clinical diagnosis.