title: Periodontal diseases at the transition from the late antique to the early mediaeval period in Croatia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We tested the hypothesis that the transition from the late antique to the early mediaeval period in Croatia had a negative impact on the periodontal health.
  
  
  METHODS
  1118 skulls were examined for dental calculus, alveolar bone resorption, fenestrations, dehiscences and root furcation involvement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of teeth with calculus varied from 40.7% in the LA sample of continental parts of Croatia to 50.3% in the LA sample of Adriatic Croatia. The prevalence of alveolar bone resorption ranged between 21.2% in the EM sample from continental Croatia and 32.3% in the LA sample from Adriatic Croatia. The prevalence of individuals with alveolar bone dehiscences varied from 8.6% in the LA sample from continental Croatia up to 15.0% in the EM sample from Adriatic Croatia. The prevalence of individuals with alveolar bone fenestrations varied from 21.5% in the LA sample from Adriatic Croatia up to 36.2% in the LA sample from continental Croatia. The prevalence of individuals with exposed root bifurcations or trifurcations varied from 9.0% in the EM sample from Adriatic Croatia up to 20.7% in the EM sample from continental Croatia. Statistically significant differences were found between samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The transition from the late antique to the early mediaeval period in Croatia did not have a negative impact on periodontal health. Studies of periodontal health of ancient populations should be performed to provide a better and more reliable reconstruction of living conditions in the past.
authors.affiliation: University of Zagreb, School of Dental Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia. vodanovic@sfzg.hr
authors.forename: Marin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vodanović
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peroš
authors.forename: Amila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zukanović
authors.forename: Marjana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Knežević
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Novak
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Slaus
authors.forename: Hrvoje
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brkić
mesh_terms: D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D010161:Paleodontology; D010164:Paleopathology; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000266:history*; D015995:Prevalence