Periodontal Health and Systemic Conditions

Abstract

According to the new classification proposed by the recent 2017 World Workshop on Periodontal and Peri-implant Diseases and Conditions, periodontitis, necrotizing periodontal diseases, periodontitis as a manifestation of systemic diseases, and systemic diseases or conditions affecting the periodontal supporting tissues, are considered as separate entities. Scientific evidence has demonstrated that periodontal diseases are not just simple bacterial infections but rather complex diseases of multifactorial complexity that interplay with the subgingival microbes, the host immune, and inflammatory responses. Despite dental plaque biofilm being considered the primary risk factor for periodontitis in the vast majority of patients that dentists encounter on a daily basis, there are other factors that can also contribute and/or accelerate pathologic progressive attachment loss. In this article, the authors aim to briefly review and discuss the present evidence regarding the association between periodontal diseases and systemic diseases and conditions.

Keywords: general health; periodontitis; systemic diseases.

Figure 1

Peri-apical radiographs of patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Severe loss of supporting bone is evident. Courtesy of Dr. Brittany Lane.

Figure 2

A 33-year-old patient presented with Generalized Necrotizing Periodontitis. Interdental papillary necrosis and ulceration of the periodontal pocket epithelium were evident. Courtesy of Dr. Vanchit John.

Figure 3

The patient with necrotizing periodontal disease (Figure 2) following 2 years of treatment following testing for HIV, initiating initial therapy followed by surgical treatment and correction of modifiable risk factors such as smoking. Courtesy of Dr. Vanchit John.