Severe overjet and overbite reduced alveolar bone height in 19-year-old men

Few investigations have reported convincing evidence of an association between malocclusion and loss of periodontal tooth support. The contradictory findings may in part be explained by the selection of material and by method differences. In many studies not-very-severe malocclusion was compared with not-very-correct occlusion. Only recently have measuring methods been developed that calculate the distance between the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) and the interproximal alveolar bone crest (AC) to the nearest 0.01 mm with acceptable accuracy. The association between overjet > or = 8 mm and the reduction of the bone support as expressed by the distance between CEJ and AC in 21 military recruits was compared with a peer group of 50 recruits with nearly ideal occlusion. The results showed a significant reduction of bone height (mean = 0.96 mm) of the four upper front teeth and of the four lower incisors (mean = 0.35 mm) in the malocclusion group. Similarly, a group of 31 army recruits with overbite > or = 6 mm revealed a significant reduction of bone height of 0.71 mm of the upper front teeth and 0.49 mm of the lower front teeth. Overjet and overbite did not appear in combination in this material. In conclusion, alveolar bone height was reduced in regions with severe malocclusion when compared with corresponding regions in healthy men with near ideal occlusion. The material was military recruits (age 19 years).