Incidence of bone loss in primary teeth: a retrospective analysis of contributing factors

Periodontitis affects not only adults but also children, targeting their primary teeth and leading to diagnostic challenges and future implications for their permanent teeth. However, there is limited research on the prevalence of radiographic alveolar bone loss in deciduous dentition. Furthermore, existing studies vary, indicating a need for further research on the prevalence of radiographic alveolar bone loss in primary teeth. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to evaluate radiographically the incidence of early alveolar bone loss in deciduous teeth. Bitewing radiographs were collected from the clinical files of healthy patients aged 4-12 who attended the Department of Paediatric Dentistry at Tel Aviv University, Israel, between 1999 and 2014. Measurements were taken from the cemento-enamel junction to the alveolar bone crest of each tooth. Data recorded included patient age, gender, socioeconomic status, and dental history concerning caries and restorations.The analysis identified that 12.8% of the inspected sites exhibited definite bone loss, with a higher incidence in maxillary teeth, especially canines. There was a moderate positive correlation between the number of dental treatments and bone loss, particularly in the upper jaw. No significant correlation was found between socioeconomic status and bone loss. These results highlight a notable incidence of early alveolar bone loss in deciduous teeth, underscoring the need for further research to better understand and address this phenomenon in primary dentition.