Alveolar bone height in patients with mild hypodontia

The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether there are significant differences in the alveolar bone height of a group of individuals with mild hypodontia when compared to a matched in age and gender control group of unaffected individuals. a retrospective cross-sectional analytical study of panoramic radiographs (opts) of patients with mild hypodontia who attended aberdeen dental hospital,uk,aged 11 to 18 years,and of radiographs of patients of a matched in age and gender control group. twenty two alveolar bone height measurements were recorded on opt radiographs of 65 mild hypodontia and 65 age- and gender-matched control individuals with the aid of a digital calliper as described in previous studies. these variables were compared between the two groups using an independent samples t-test. no statistically significant differences were found between a group of patients with mild hypodontia and a matched in age and gender control group (p>0.05) for any of the alveolar bone height measurements. the results of this study support the use of dental implants in the multidisciplinary management of patients with mild hypodontia for the restoration of their congenitally missing teeth.