Vitamin D: relevance in dental practice

Abstract

Objective: The potential role of VDR gene variations in modulating periodontal susceptibility have been a subject of scientific investigations. The aim of this paper is to perform a literature review of the potential correlation between Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and periodontal disease.

Materials and methods: A PubMed literature search was made using "vitamin d receptor polymorphisms periodontal disease" as keys words. Only clinical studies in "Humans" as species and "English" as language were considered. Titles and abstracts of all identified records were examined to determine if the candidate articles contained sufficient information on the association of the VDR polymorphisms and the risk of development periodontal disease.

Conclusions: Vitamin D may affect the risk of developing periodontal disease via an effect on bone mineral density or via immunomodulatory effects. There are scientific evidences about the correlation between some VDR polymorphisms, periodontitis and bone metabolism. The use of new simple and economics diagnostic techniques of genetic screening, allows to the dental specialists to identify periodontal patients with possible decreased bone mineral density. The complete acquisition of awareness by dentists of the strong relationship between skeletal bone density with periodontal health and osteointegrated implant success, could open a new therapeutic approach for periodontists with an important role in the early detection of osteoporosis and a better patient compliance of the periodontal therapy.

Keywords: genetic susceptibility periodontitis; periodontal disease; periodontitis; vitamin D; vitamin D receptor polymorphisms.