An objective method of assessing the periodontal condition in human skulls

Abstract

An objective method is described for estimating the periodontal state of human skulls. Two measurements were made for each tooth from the alveolar crest to the amelo‐cemental junction and, from the average of these for the whole mouth, an estimate was calculated called the Tooth Cervical Height‐Index. It was found possible to repeat measurements with a considerable degree of precision. When forty skulls with varying degrees of periodontal disease were examined a significant correlation was recorded between the T.C.H.‐index and the periodontal state as estimated using clinical criteria (after Russell).

Periodontal disease and dental caries from Krapina Neanderthal to contemporary man – skeletal studies

“…When the ratio of interdental to vestibular (I/V) resorption was expressed as a factor, it was 1.00 in KN and 1.94 in the 20 th century 20-29 year subgroup, and 2.24 in the >50 year subgroup (Table 3). 4. The dynamics of the two more pronounced resorption patterns of the interdental septum relative to the vestibular side of the alveoli in contemporary man is a consequence of greater plaque deposition and its pathogenesis in the interdental space than on the vestibular side.…”

“…Without the presence of the gingiva, it is possible to determine to the nearest millimeter the amount of bone loss from the cementoenamel junction tothe alveolar crest much more easily than it is possible in patients. Various methods have been proposed for recording the amount of alveolar bone loss in skeletal material by measuring the distance from the cementoenamel junction to the alveolar crest for each tooth and averaging them for the arch, arch quadrant, or individual (4,10,11).…”

“…In this study there were two aims: First, the loss of alveolar bone was assessed by the tooth-cervical height index (TCH-index) on the vestibular and interdental side of the alveolus (4) in Krapina Neanderthals (KN) who lived 130,000 years ago (5), and in groups of contemporary humans from the 1 st , 10 th and 20 th centuries, and second, the number and percentage of caries lesions on all samples of teeth in these four groups was diagnosed.…”

The correlation between the presence of dehiscence or fenestration and the severity of tooth attrition in contemporary dry Japanese adult skulls. Part I.

“…On the other hand, previous studies have reported that in radiographs, an apical interproximal bone level of more than 2 mm can be classified as a pathological condition [21][22][23][24][25]. Generally, a bone level within 2.5 mm from the CEJ on a dry skull has been reported to represent a condition free of periodontal disease [26].…”

Periodontal defects of pulpal origin: Evidence in early man

“…The tooth-cervical height (TCH) index for assessment of periodontal disease in dry skulls was based upon that assumption (Davies et al, 1969).…”