Relationships between radiographic alveolar bone height and probing attachment level: data from healthy post-menopausal women.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between radiographic alveolar bone height and probing attachment level in a population of healthy postmenopausal women.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The 81 patients in this report were part of a prospective estrogen replacement interventional study. All patients were in good oral health at entry and received annual oral prophylaxis as part of the study. Standard probing measurements were made with a pressure sensitive probe at 6 sites on each tooth. Vertical bitewing radiographs were digitized, and 6 linear measurements corresponding to probing-site measurements were made from the cementoenamel junction to the alveolar crest. These procedures were performed at baseline and at annual intervals for three years. Data were analyzed both by site and by patient.

RESULTS

Moderately strong correlations were found between cross-sectional measurements of probing attachment height and radiographic bone height. Correlations were stronger for patient data (r=0.44-0.61) than for site data (r=0.19-0.36). No relationships were found between longitudinal changes in alveolar bone height and attachment level in either the site data (r=-0.10-0.04). or the patient data (r=-0.005-0.10).

CONCLUSION

Healthy patients may experience sporadic, temporary changes in attachment level or alveolar bone height which are resolved without one affecting the other.