Abstract
The present study was performed to investigate the influence of periodontal tissue destruction on tooth migration. Sixty-two periodontitis patients (1, 538 teeth) were the subject of this study. Periodontal parameters, including probing pocket depth and probing attachment level, and study cast impressions were taken at the baseline examination. The occlusal surface of study models was scanned with a tabletop optimetric scanner. Ideal dentition arch curves were set by connecting the cusps or incisal edges of teeth on the scanned images with an image-processing program (Scion Image® Scion Corporation). Tooth migration was defined as more than 2 mm displacement from ideal dentition. Non-parametric tests were employed to statistically analyse periodontal parameter and tooth migration data. Statistically significant differences in periodontal tissue breakdown measured by probing pocket depth and probing attachment level were observed between the buccal aspect and lingual aspect of migrated teeth. Buccally migrated teeth in the anterior region showed greater periodontal tissue breakdown on the lingual aspect, and lingually migrated teeth in the lower anterior region showed greater breakdown on the buccal aspect, in agreement with the results of our previous experiment in animals. By contrast, the lower premolar and molar region showed no relationship between the presence of inflammation and tooth migration, and this finding may have been due to an association with other factors, such as tongue or buccal muscle movements to maintain tooth position in the lower premolar and molar region. J Jpn Soc Periodontol, 45: 180-192, 2003.
