engleski

Morphometric analysis of lower jaws in relation to tooth loss of elderly home residents

Objectives: There has been increasing interest in the interrelationship W e e n oral bone condition and tooth loss in elderly population. Because the severity of alveolar bone loss increases with age, it has long been hypothesized that it may, in part, be related to local conditions, but in part also to systemic conditions. The objective of the present study was to examine lower teeth status and evaluate surrounding bone tissue. Methods: Orthopantomographic screening was done, followed by morphometric analysis, or a sample of 150 elderly home residents (2 60 years of age) and control group of 20 adolescents Morphometric measurements of the lower jaws were performed by specially designed computer software using copper plates as orthopantomographic measurement calibration tool. Results: The most cbmmonl) missing teeth in lower jaws were first molars. Morphometric results of the lower jaw in elderly were or the average 35% lower than the results of the control group. The lowest measured distance was determined in the first molar area labsolute = 13.45mm ; average = 17.24mm/. Female morphometric values of subject goup were 7-l0% lower than those of males, with statistically significant differena (p<0.05). Conclusions: The loss of teeth has significant influence on bone height in lower jaw demonstrated by positive correlation of bone height with presence and position of teeth (p<0.05 R4.697). The influence of tooth loss with bone resorption determines the state of stomatognathic system.

morphometric analysis; lower jaws; elderly

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