Dental radiographic findings in the elderly in Helsinki, Finland

Authors

  • Anja Ainamo Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Department of Dental Radiology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Geriatric Unit, Second Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Health Centre of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
  • Kari Soikkonen Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Department of Dental Radiology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Geriatric Unit, Second Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Health Centre of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
  • Juhani Wolf Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Department of Dental Radiology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Geriatric Unit, Second Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Health Centre of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
  • Päivi Siukosaari Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Department of Dental Radiology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Geriatric Unit, Second Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Health Centre of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
  • Timo Erkinjuntti Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Department of Dental Radiology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Geriatric Unit, Second Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Health Centre of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
  • Reijo Tilvis Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Department of Dental Radiology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Geriatric Unit, Second Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Health Centre of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
  • Jaakko Valvanne Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Department of Dental Radiology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Geriatric Unit, Second Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Health Centre of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3109/00016359409029053

Keywords:

Caries, endodontics, gerodontology, periodontitis

Abstract

Ainamo A, Soikkonen K, Wolf J, Siukosaari P, Erkinjuntti T, Tilvis R, Valvanne J. Dental radiographic findings in the elderly in Helsinki, Finland. Acta Odontol Scand 1994;52:243-249. Oslo. ISSN 000145357.

A total of 169 dentate persons, aged 76, 81, and 86 years, living at home in Helsinki, Finland, were examined by means of panoramic radiography supplemented by intraoral radiographs. The older the age group, the fewer teeth remained. Altogether 75% of the subjects had radiographically detectable caries. A high proportion of the carious teeth (62%) was found in a relatively small number (24%) of subjects. The number of carious teeth and their percentage of the total number of teeth were greater in the older age groups. The proportion of endodontically treated teeth was 19% in the 76-year-olds and 26% in the 86-year-olds. Of the subjects 41% had periapical periodontitis, which was commoner in root-filled teeth (18%) than in other teeth (4%). Caries and periapical radiolucent and radiopaque findings were commoner in men. Vertical bone pockets (3 mm or deeper) were found in 51% and furcation lesions in 28% of the subjects. Compared with earlier Finnish studies, the results indicate an improving oral health status among elderly Finns.

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Published

1994-01-01

Issue

Vol. 52 No. 4 (1994): Acta Odontologica Scandinavica

Section

Articles