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. 2014 Oct;217(8):459-66.
doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2014.908.

The prevalence of periodontal disease in a Romano-British population c. 200-400 AD

T Raitapuro-Murray  1 , T I Molleson  2 , F J Hughes  3
Affiliations

The prevalence of periodontal disease in a Romano-British population c. 200-400 AD

T Raitapuro-Murray et al. Br Dent J. 2014 Oct.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of moderate to severe periodontitis in an ancient British cohort c. 200-400 AD.

Design: Observational study to assess periodontal and other oral disease parameters.

Setting: Natural History Museum, London.

Subjects and methods: 303 skulls from a Romano-British burial site in Poundbury, Dorset were examined for evidence of dental disease.

Main outcome measures: The primary outcome measure was presence of moderate to severe periodontitis. Secondary outcomes included: amount of horizontal bone loss; prevalence of ante-mortem tooth loss; and presence of other dental pathologies.

Results: The overall prevalence of moderate to severe periodontitis was just greater than 5%. The prevalence rate remained nearly constant between ages 20 to 60, after which it rose to around 10%. The number of affected teeth increased with age. Horizontal bone loss was generally minor. Caries was seen in around 50% of the cohort, and evidence of pulpal and apical pathology was seen in around 25%.

Conclusions: The prevalence of moderate to severe periodontitis was markedly decreased when compared to the prevalence in modern populations, underlining the potential importance of risk factors such as smoking and diabetes in determining susceptibility to progressive periodontitis in modern populations.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. (a) 25-year-old female, buried around 350 AD.
Periodontally healthy but some post-mortem damage evident. She had been buried with a copper coin in her mouth resulting in the tooth discolouration seen in upper left second incisor. (b), (c) Periodontally healthy samples with normal crestal alveolar bone contour and intact cortical plates. (d) Extensive calculus deposits. Note also single infra-bony defect mesial to lower second molar
Figure 2
Figure 2. Examples of periodontitis cases
Figure 3
Figure 3. Other notable findings.
(a) Extensive generalized attrition. (b) Pulpal exposure as as a result of attrition. Note resultant extensive apical bone loss on buccal root. (c) Large apical bony defect on disto-buccal root of first molar, consequent to tooth wear-associated pulpal exposure. (d) Bony dehiscences on lower canine an first molar teeth. (e) Buccal cervical carious cavity
Figure 4
Figure 4. Distribution of average horizontal bone loss and age for each sample examined.
Cut off point of 2 mm greater than average bone height shown as broken line
Figure 5
Figure 5. Frequency distribution of number of individuals with infra-bony defects ≥3 and ≥5 mm
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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