Bone height changes in individuals with periodontal disease: a 17‐year prospective longitudinal study

Abstract

Marginal bone level in this prospective study did reveal tooth groups at higher risk for progression of periodontal disease.

Radiographic Alveolar Bone Loss in Patients Undergoing Periodontal Maintenance

“…These anatomical tooth characteristics may facilitate the retention of plaque and impair plaque removal and the access of instruments to distal sites. In contrast, some studies 2,4,24) reported greater bone loss at mesial sites.…”

“…Higher precipitation of calculus is usually observed in the upper molars and lower incisors, a fact favoring the accumulation of plaque and the consequent progression of periodontal disease in these two groups of teeth 33) . Some studies have demonstrated a higher bone loss rate in molars 2,4,23,24) , molars and incisors 34,46) or even a random distribution 43) . Lower bone loss was reported for canines 34) .…”

“…Signs such as enlargement of the periodontal ligament space, absence of the lamina dura, bone defects (vertical or horizontal) and a diffuse image in the furcation area, associated with clinical signs, are suggestive of the presence of periodontal disease 2) . All of these aspects are important in the establishment of a diagnosis and periodontal treatment plan, as well as in periodontal maintenance.…”

Unique database study linking gingival inflammation and smoking in carcinogenesis

“…It is estimated that 15 to 35% of the adult population in the industrialized countries suffers from this multifactorial disease [4]. Although microbes are required to initiate the pathological process, smoking is an important risk factor for the development of periodontitis; smoking also increases the severity of the disease [6,7]. In individuals with constitutional pro-inflammatory traits, the reaction to bacteria may lead to an excessive host response, resulting in systemic inflammatory reaction [8,9].…”

Cigarette smoke promotes genomic evolution in the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis.

“…Accordingly, smokers have a high predisposition of developing plaqueinduced periodontal diseases and consequently a higher prevalence [29,32,33]. Tobacco smoke is a major risk factor for periodontal disease because the oral cavity is the entryway for smoke into the airways and therefore naturally has the highest concentration of smoke components, especially in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) excreted from the gingival sulcus [93].…”