Alveolar bone remodeling following osseous surgery. A clinical study.

Remodeling of the alveolar bone crest was monitored following periodontal surgery including osseous recontouring at 26 sites in 17 patients, aged 23 to 60 years, with advanced periodontitis. Comparison of measurements obtained at initial surgery with those noted at re-entry showed a reduction in crest height 3 months postsurgery at all sites tested: A) At the interradicular sites a mean reduction of 0.38 mm; B) at the radicular sites a mean reduction of 0.84 min; and C) at the furcation sites a mean reduction of 0.79 mm. A reduction in crest height was also noted 6 months postsurgery at all sites tested: A) At the interradicular sites a mean reduction of 0.23 mm; B) at the radicular sites a mean reduction of 0.55 mm; and C) at the furcation sites a mean reduction of 0.88 mm. The mean bone loss different surfaces in both 3 month and 6 month groups was statistically significant when compared with zero loss, using the t test. Within the limits of this clinical study, it can be concluded that crestal resorption, albeit limited in extent, was the usual remodeling response following osseous recontouring.