Study of Alveolar Bone Status in Alcoholic Patients by Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

Abstract

Background: Alcohol has a negative effect on humans, whether it is on the healthy or even economic side. It is considered a serious condition for the occurrence of many diseases threatening human life or may contribute to increasing their severity in addition to the negative impact on some parts of the human body. Aim of the study: To evaluate the alveolar bone status by measuring the alveolar bone crest level of the interproximal teeth in alcohol drinker individuals on CBCTs. Material and Methods: The current study included randomly selected male patients (n=294) who admitted to radiology units in some dentistry centers in Baghdad city, between the ages of 25 and 45 years. The selected male subjects were divided into three groups: control group (n=120), light alcohol drinking group (n=98) and heavy alcohol drinking group (n=76). The measurements of alveolar crest level were done on CBCT images by measuring a distance between the crest of alveolar bone and the “cementoenamel junction” in the interproximal teeth region. Results: Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant reduction in the alveolar bone crest level in the alcohol drinker groups as compared to the control non-drinker group at p-value ?0.05. In addition, the study also showed that there was a significant reduction of alveolar bone crest level in the maxilla as compared to the mandible between the alcohol drinker groups at p-value ?0.05. Conclusion: The study found there was a negative effect of “alcohol consumption” on the alveolar bone as it causes a reduction of alveolar bone crest level in the interproximal areas of teeth. Clinical significance: The study confirms the damage of alveolar bone reduction as a result of the long-term consumption of alcohol.