Marginal bone level in an adult Danish Population.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence and distribution of marginal bone loss in the Danish population.


METHODS
Six hundred and sixteen randomly selected Danish adults (304 females and 312 males), mean age of 42 years (range 21-63 years) underwent a full-mouth radiographic survey consisting of 14 periapicals and two bitewings. The marginal bone level was measured with a digital caliper in mm, rounded off to the nearest 0.1 mm. The measurements were performed at the mesial and distal aspect of the tooth, from the cemento-enamel junction to the marginal bone. These measurements were used to calculate the marginal bone level (A) in mm for each tooth and each patient. Three thresholds were defined: normal marginal bone level (A < 3 mm), borderline marginal bone level (3 mm < or = A < 4 mm) and reduced marginal bone level (A > or = 4 mm).


RESULTS
The prevalence of reduced marginal bone level in the individual and the frequency of teeth with reduced marginal bone level were almost similar. A reduced marginal bone level was evenly distributed among the tooth groups. Approximately 12% had reduced marginal bone level, 12% were in the borderline marginal bone level group, and the remaining 76% had a normal marginal bone level. The marginal bone level was ever more reduced with increasing age. No significant difference in bone level was observed between genders.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of reduced marginal bone level in a random Danish population is approximately 12% and is comparable to findings in other European countries.
Bahrami
Golnosh
G
University of Aarhus, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, Department of Oral Radiology, Aarhus, Denmark. gbahrami@odont.au.dk
Isidor
Flemming
F
Kirkevang
Lise-Lotte
LL
Vaeth
Michael
M
Wenzel
Ann
A
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D003718:Denmark; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D008439:Maxillary Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital; D012737:Sex Factors; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000473:pathology