Radiographic study of ethnic variation in alveolar bone height among New Zealand dental students.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine anatomical variations in the radiographic distance between the cemento-enamel junction and the alveolar crest with respect to ethnic heritage and gender in New Zealand dental students.


METHODS
Digitized bitewing films of 123 second-year New Zealand dental students were examined with a computer imaging program on a desktop computer screen. The race of parents and grandparents was obtained by questionnaire.


RESULTS
The mean distance from the cemento-enamel junction to the alveolar crest across the sample was 0.97 mm. Eighteen (14.6%) of the participants had measurements >2 mm, of whom 17 were Asians. Asians had a significantly larger mean distance than did non-Asians (1.10 mm compared to 0.83 mm; P <0.001). Gender was not a significant variable.


CONCLUSIONS
Students of Asian origin had a significantly greater distance between the cemento-enamel junction and the alveolar crest. It remains to be determined whether this is anatomical or disease related.
Wong
Benedicta K J
BK
Department of Oral Rehabilitation, University of Otago School of Dentistry, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Leichter
Jonathan W
JW
Chandler
Nick P
NP
Cullinan
Mary P
MP
Holborow
Doug W
DW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D044466:Asian People; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009520:New Zealand; D011859:Radiography; D012737:Sex Factors; D019237:Tooth Cervix / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging