title: Significance of some variables on interproximal alveolar bone height based on cross-sectional epidemiologic data.
abstract: The objective of the study was to analyze the significance of some variables on interproximal alveolar bone height, based on cross-sectional epidemiologic data from a Swedish survey conducted in 1983-1984, in the northern medical care district of Alvsborg county. 723 dentate individuals (92% of the randomly selected dentate individuals) with complete anamnestic, clinical and radiographic documentation were included in the statistical analyses. The computerized method used to measure interproximal alveolar bone height as a % of root length (B/R) provided data at each measurable interproximal surface of the individual teeth. On the population basis, a multivariate linear regression analysis showed that: (i) mean B/R values did not differ significantly between men and women, (ii) B/R value decreased with increasing age at a linear rate of 0.26% (0.04 mm) per year of age, (iii) the higher the calculus index value, the lower the mean B/R value, (iv) the higher the plaque index value, the higher the mean B/R value, (v) level of education, dentist attendance frequency and prevalence of defective margins of dental restorations did not show any statistically significant association with B/R, (vi) individuals attending the dental hygienist less than once every 2 years had higher mean B/R value than individuals attending the dental hygienist at least once every two years, and (vii) current smokers exhibited significantly lower mean B/R value than former and non-smokers. Individuals smoking more than 5 g of tobacco per day had lower mean B/R values than individuals smoking between 1 and 5 g of tobacco per day. There was no statistically significant relationship between snuffing and B/R.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, Northern Alvsborg County Hospital, Vänersborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Wouters
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Salonen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Frithiof
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Helldén
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000453:epidemiology; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging