Mechanism of alveolar bone destruction in periodontitis — Periodontal bacteria and inflammation

Abstract

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease caused by periodontopathogenic bacteria, which eventually leads to bone tissue (alveolar bone) destruction as inflammation persists. Periodontal tissues have an immune system against the invasion of these bacteria, however, due to the persistent infection by periodontopathogenic bacteria, the host innate and acquired immunity is impaired, and tissue destruction, including bone tissue destruction, occurs. Osteoclasts are essential for bone destruction. Osteoclast progenitor cells derived from hematopoietic stem cells differentiate into osteoclasts. In addition, bone loss occurs when bone resorption by osteoclasts exceeds bone formation by osteoblasts. In inflammatory bone disease, inflammatory cytokines act on osteoblasts and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-producing cells, resulting in osteoclast differentiation and activation. In addition to this mechanism, pathogenic factors of periodontal bacteria and mechanical stress activate osteoclasts and destruct alveolar bone in periodontitis. In this review, we focused on the mechanism of osteoclast activation in periodontitis and provide an overview based on the latest findings.

Association between coffee consumption and periodontal diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…These factors activate osteoclasts, which destroy the alveolar bone, and inhibit bone forming osteoblasts. In addition, periodontal pathogenic bacteria directly inhibit osteoblasts and cause alveolar bone destruction, leading to tooth loss [ 38 , 39 ]. According to our result, odds ratio for coffee intake and tooth loss was 1.17.…”

Biphasic Functions of Sodium Fluoride (NaF) in Soft and in Hard Periodontal Tissues

“…The overexpression of OPG alters osteoclast differentiation, and recombinant OPG impedes ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats [66]. Recombinant OPG binds to OPG ligand on BMMSCs, thereby inhibiting osteoclast differentiation [67]. RANKL is an essential cytokine that regulates osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption [68].…”

Epigenetics in susceptibility, progression, and diagnosis of periodontitis

“…Periodontitis is a common disease accompanied by irreversible destruction of periodontal tissue such as alveolar bone, cementum, periodontal ligament (PDL), and gingival tissue. The disease is developed by local pathogenic bacterial infections and involves the host’s protective inflammatory reactions, which release cytokines and enzymes that induce the breakdown of periodontal connective tissue and bone [9] . Periodontitis is pathophysiologically diverse because various acquired local factors, such as oral hygiene, odontoparallaxis, and occlusal trauma, and systemic factors, such as nutrition, metabolic diseases, and diabetes, intricately influence the status of the disease.…”