Bennivå

Bennivå, sometimes written bennivå, is a term used in Norwegian dentistry and anatomy to refer to the height of alveolar bone around teeth and dental implants. The concept is central to assessing periodontal health and the suitability of sites for implants.

Measurement is typically made on dental radiographs. A common reference point is the cementoenamel junction (CEJ); the distance from the CEJ to the crestal bone is used to describe bone loss. In a healthy mouth, the crestal bone is usually about 1 to 2 mm apical to the CEJ. Larger distances indicate varying degrees of bone resorption due to periodontitis, trauma, or occlusal overload.

For implants or grafting procedures, bennivå is used to evaluate crest position and healing after surgery. Maintenance of bone level is important for tooth stability, aesthetics, and implant prognosis.

Factors that influence bennivå include periodontal disease, smoking, diabetes, age, and oral hygiene. Healing after extraction, grafting, or implant placement also modifies bone level over time.

Clinical management aims to preserve or restore bennivå through periodontal therapy (scaling, root planing, surgery), regenerative procedures (bone grafts, guided tissue regeneration), and implant planning with appropriate loading and support. Regular monitoring is essential to detect changes early.

See also: periodontics, alveolar bone, dental implant, radiography.