Pattern of periodontal breakdown in adult Tanzanians

Abstract

– A total of 170 adult Tanzanians aged 30‐ 691 yr were examined for loss of attachment, gingival recession, plaque, calculus and gingival bleeding on all surfaces, of all teeth. The severity of loss of attachment varied considerably between tooth types. Irrespective of age, mandibular incisors and first and second molars were the teeth most affected by loss of attachment. In all age groups heavy plaque deposits and gingival bleeding occurred more frequently in posterior than in anterior teeth, Dental calculus was most frequently observed in the maxillary posterior and mandibular anterior teeth. The distribution of calculus within the dentition showed a close resemblance with the patterns of loss of attachment and gingival recession. The variation of the severity of periodontal breakdown within individuals indicates that the use of mean values to describe periodontal breakdown may give the impression of a greater uniformity than really exists.

Gingival recession, oral hygiene and associated factors among tanzanian women

“…The occurrence of gingival recession correlated with age, which is supported by other findings in Tanzania (2,16) and elsewhere (14,21,25,26). The association between gingival recession and calculus in this study is in agreement with results for other populations in Tanzania (16,27), Brazil (26) and elsewhere (20). The explanation for this is thought to be due to mechanical displacement of the gingival tissue by calculus deposits as well as toxins from both the viable microbial plaque and that which is harboured within the calculus deposit (28).…”

Periodontal attachment level of extractions presumably performed for periodontal reasons

“…1989, Murray et al . 1996) which found a major tooth loss due to periodontal disease after the age of 45 might be more indicative of treatment decisions of the dentists in countries with widely‐used dental services than of the progression of the disease itself (Löe et al . 1986, Baelum 1987, Baelum et al .…”

Ageing, dental caries and periodontal diseases

“…Studies conducted in populations without or with very limited access to dental treatment demonstrate that a considerably large proportion of surfaces (Baelum 1987) or people (Baelum et al 1997a) only experience mild loss of periodontal attachment even among the oldest study participants in these studies. Recent results on the global burden of severe periodontitis suggest that a sharp increase in the prevalence of severe periodontitis can be expected between the third and fourth decades of life and that this prevalence can remain relatively stable at older ages (Kassebaum et al 2014).…”