Journal of Dental Research, Vol 70, 1386-1389, Copyright © 1991 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
The effect of crown receipt on measures of gingival status
J. Bader, R. G. Rozier and W. T. McFall Jr
Department of Dental Ecology, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7450.
Although the association between crown margins and increased inflammation
and probing depth is well-established, studies examining these effects have
been largely post hoc. Change in gingival status measures due to receipt of
crowns may affect longitudinal evaluations in clinical trials and
epidemiological studies. This study examined the effects of receipt of
crowns on the periodontal health of the Ramfjord index teeth. Gingival
status descriptors included measures of plaque, gingival inflammation,
calculus, probing depth, and gingival recession. Changes in periodontal
status scores (1987-89) for teeth receiving crowns among 67 patients were
compared with change in scores for teeth not receiving crowns. Teeth that
were crowned showed small, but significant, differences. These teeth had
greater decreases in calculus scores for both surfaces, increases in
inflammation compared with decreases for teeth not receiving crowns, and
increased facial probing depths. Change in gingival recession was markedly
decreased on facial surfaces among teeth receiving crowns. The results
suggest that crown status should be recorded routinely in clinical trials
involving gingival status, and that teeth receiving crowns during the
course of the study should be eliminated from the analyses.
