Gingival inflammation and bone loss in periodontal disease

Abstract

Fifty subjects between 27 and 43 yr of age were studied to determine the relationship between the severity of gingival inflammation, the amount of bone loss and the plaque score in interproximal sites. Moderately good correlations exist between Gingival Index or Plaque Index and percentage bone loss. A low correlation was found between the amount of crevicular fluid and percentage bone loss. Gingival Index and Plaque Index were well correlated. When patients were divided into 2 age groups, younger and older than 35 yr, the older individuals studied had more bone loss interproximally compared with the younger despite comparable amounts of plaque or gingival inflammation. Both severity and longevity of the inflammation may play a role in determining the alveolar bone resorption rate.