Associations between crestal lamina dura and periodontal status

The purpose of the present study was to investigate associations between radiographic crestal lamina dura and the clinical periodontal status of the corresponding interdental area. The population consisted of 90 individuals (53 females and 37 males), ages 21 to 45 years (mean 31 years), who underwent a comprehensive periodontal examination. Buccal and lingual to the contact point at each interdental area four different clinical criteria were scored as being present or absent: (i) visual inflammation, (ii) bleeding after probing with 25 gm force, (iii) pocket depth greater than 3 mm after probing with 50 gm force, (iv) loss of connective tissue attachment. Bite-wing and full-mouth periapical radiographs were taken and processed using standardized techniques. Each interdental crestal area on the radiographs was examined and scored for presence or absence of an intact lamina dura. Statistical analyses were undertaken using correlated means to compare the presence or absence of lamina dura with the individual and simultaneous clinical criteria. No significant differences were obtained between any of the comparisons and, in addition, there was no correlation between lamina dura images on periapical and bite-wing radiographs. The results indicated that crestal lamina dura on radiographs did not appear to be related to the presence or absence of clinical inflammation, bleeding upon probing, periodontal pockets or loss of attachment.