Periodontal status in relation to age and tooth type. A cross-sectional radiographic study.

The purpose of the present study was to assess by radiographic means the pattern of destructive periodontal disease within the dentition of individuals of different ages. Full-mouth series of intra-oral radiographs from 531 dentate individuals aged 25-75 years were examined with respect to number and type of remaining teeth, location of the alveolar bone in relation to the cemento-enamel junction and presence of angular bony defects. The assessments of alveolar bone levels and angular bony defects were performed at the approximal surfaces of all teeth present. The results showed that although most individuals had experienced a reduction in alveolar bone height with age, only a small number of subjects had developed advanced breakdown of the periodontium. Hence, pronounced bone loss was observed in only 11% of the subjects and was non-existent in ages below 35 years. 23% of the individuals accounted for 3/4 of the total number of sites with bone level values (bone loss) of greater than or equal to 6 mm. Out of the total number of tooth sites examined, 28% showed no bone loss, while 13% demonstrated pronounced periodontal tissue breakdown. Angular bony defects were found at 8% of all teeth examined and were most frequent at the maxillary first premolars. Teeth in the incisor regions consistently showed the highest frequency of advanced alveolar bone loss and the lowest frequency of normal tissue support, while corresponding figures for teeth in the molar regions were found to be the opposite. However, molars were the most frequently missing teeth.