Continuing tooth eruption and alveolar crest height in an eighteenth-century population from Spitalfields, East London

Abstract

Earlier studies on dried skulls have shown that continuing eruption occurs throughout life to an extent which appears to compensate for occlusal attrition. Some investigators have interpreted the increasing distance between the tooth cervical margin and the alveolar crest as an indication of horizontal bone loss due to chronic inflammatory periodontal disease. In order to determine whether continuing eruption occurs in the absence of attrition, measurements were made on the jaws of an eighteenth-century population whose tooth wear had been minimal. Horizontal bone loss at the alveolar margin was minimal or absent. Continuing eruption had occurred, indicating that facial height probably increased throughout the life time of the individuals.