Alveolar bone loss in the permanent first molars of Norwegian schoolchildren receiving systematic dental care

A distance exceeding 2 mm from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the alveolar bone was observed on the proximal surfaces of the first molars of proportionally more 15-year-olds (101 subjects) than 13-year-olds (99 subjects). The measurements were performed on bitewing radiographs, and the methodologic error amounted to 3%. Recordings in excess of 2 mm were most frequent (0.27 and 0.23) for the distal surfaces of the maxillary molars.