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The relation between tooth eruption and alveolar crest height in a human skeletal sample
T M Varrela1, K Paunio, F R Wouters
1University of Turku, Institute of Dentistry, Finland.
Archives of Oral Biology
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Alveolar crest height does not increase with tooth eruption, contrary to common belief. Continuous tooth eruption compensates for wear without significant bone growth at the alveolar margin.
Area of Science:
- Anthropology
- Dentistry
- Osteology
Background:
- The prevailing assumption is that alveolar crest height grows with tooth eruption.
- This study investigates the relationship between tooth eruption and alveolar crest height in a historical human sample.
Observation:
- Radiographic analysis of 244 late medieval skulls examined mandibular molars and premolars.
- Measurements were taken from the inferior dental canal (IDC) to root apices (AP), alveolar crest (AC), and cementum-enamel junction (CEJ).
- Continuous tooth eruption was confirmed by the increasing IDC-AP distance with age.
Findings:
- The distance between the alveolar crest (AC) and cementum-enamel junction (CEJ) increased with age.
- However, the distance between the inferior dental canal (IDC) and the alveolar crest (AC) remained constant.
- This indicates that alveolar crest height did not proportionally increase with tooth eruption.
Implications:
- Continuous tooth eruption may compensate for occlusal attrition without necessitating alveolar bone apposition.
- Findings challenge the traditional view of alveolar bone remodeling in response to tooth wear.
- This research provides insights into tooth eruption dynamics and alveolar bone maintenance in the absence of significant inflammation.