Periodontal conditions around tipped and upright molars in adults. An intra-individual retrospective study.

In 69 individuals from a randomized epidemiological material comprising 450 adults, an intra-individual comparison of the periodontal condition of 73 mesially tipped molars (30 degrees or more to a line perpendicular to the occlusal plane) and contralateral upright molars was made. The alveolar bone level mesially and distally of each tooth was registered in periapical radiographs. The occurrence of plaque, gingivitis and probeable pocket depths of 4 mm or more mesially and distally of each tooth was registered. No significant differences between tipped and upright molars could be found, regardless of the variable tested. The clinical implications of the findings are discussed from an orthodontic as well as a periodontal and prosthetic point of view.