Radiographic survey of periodontal disease in 264 adolescent schoolboys in Lagos, Nigeria.

Periapical radiographs were taken of central incisor and first molar teeth in 264 Nigerian boys (12-20 years) from a school in Lagos. From the radiographs, bone loss involving central incisors and first molars was measured. Bone loss was evident in 28.4% of subjects examined. The prevalence of bone loss rose through the age groups from 23.2% at 12-13 years to 34.6% at 18-20 years. Over all ages the prevalence of bone loss involving mandibular central incisors was 14.4%, mandibular first molars 9.8%, maxillary first molars 8.3% and maxillary central incisors 7.6%. Two subjects showed features characteristic of juvenile periodontitis (periodontosis).