Quantification of the lamina dura

The lamina dura continues to be an enigma. It is typically described in the scientific literature as being present or absent. This study used digitized radiographs in an attempt to quantify the thickness of the lamina dura in different regions of the oral cavity in healthy adult patients. Even with the potential for multiple variables that could affect the appearance of the lamina dura, the results show measurable differences in the thickness of the lamina dura in the anterior and posterior teeth, with average widths ranging from 0.22-0.54 mm.