Evaluating Factors Influencing Periodontal Bone Loss Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND The assessment of alveolar bone loss and determining patterns of disease progression with respect to different etiologic or contributing factors plays a vital role in the diagnosis of periodontitis, prognosis of the disease, and better treatment planning. This study aimed to determine periodontal bone loss using cone beam computed tomography images obtained from various age groups and evaluate the effects of age, sex, jaw type, tooth type, and tooth surface width on periodontal destruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS In total, 200 cone beam computed tomography images obtained for any indication were randomly selected and analyzed. The distance between the alveolar crest and cemento-enamel junction was measured, and values exceeding 2 mm were considered as bone loss. Furthermore, the buccolingual and mesiodistal widths of all teeth at the cemento-enamel junction were measured to determine tooth surface width. RESULTS Among the patients included in the study, bone loss increased with age. The highest bone loss was observed in the maxillary molars, followed by the mandibular incisors. Although there was no significant difference in mean bone loss values between the jaws, distal surfaces in the maxilla showed greater bone loss than that in the mandible. Furthermore, the relationship between tooth surface width at the cemento-enamel junction and bone loss varied by tooth type. In mandibular incisors and premolars, bone loss increased as the buccolingual and mesiodistal widths decreased. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that periodontal bone loss is influenced by age, sex, tooth type, and tooth surface width.