Risk factors and risk indicators in relation to incipient alveolar bone loss in Swedish 19-year-olds

Objective. To investigate incipient alveolar bone loss and subgingival calculus on a subject-based level in Swedish 19-year-olds, with special reference to risk factors and risk indicators. Material and methods. Subjects (n=686) with different socio-economic profiles enrolled at seven public dental clinics in suburban Stockholm answered a questionnaire on general health, tobacco habits, oral hygiene habits, and their parents’ socio-economic background. The clinical and radiographic examination included registration of plaque, bleeding on probing (GBI), supra- and subgingival calculus, caries, and restorations. Incipient alveolar bone loss was recorded when the distance from the cemento-enamel junction to the alveolar crest was ≥2.0 mm. Results. The prevalence of incipient alveolar bone loss was 5.1%; multivariate analysis disclosed the associated variables to be “subgingival calculus” (odds ratio (OR) 4.2) and “proximal restoration ≥1” (OR 2.1). The cumulative probability of exhibiting incipient alveolar ...