Some factors connected with alveolar bone resorption

In this study correlations are described between alveolar bone resorption, patient's age, duration of edentulousness, the number of dentures which have been worn, and dentures being worn day and night. The sample of patients for this study consisted of 92 edentulous persons treated with complete dentures at a dental school clinic. The test subjects were asked to fill in a questionnaire to obtain data regarding the research factors. A method for the classification of alveolar bone resorption was developed and the test subjects were divided into classes for alveolar bone resorption according to this method. All data were processed by means of a computer program. The longer the test subjects had been edentulous and the more dentures they had worn, the more intensive was the alveolar bone resorption, particularly in the lower jaw. No significant correlation was found between alveolar bone resorption and dentures being worn day and night.