(Periodontosis) a Review
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Treatment of Localized Juvenile Periodontitis (Periodontosis) A Review David B. Krill* and Hiram R. Fryt Accepted for publication 2 July 1986 Localized juvenile Periodontitis is a disease of the adolescent periodontium character- ized by rapid alveolar destruction around molar and incisor teeth ofthe permanent dentition. Early treatment methods were variable and often empirical due to lack of knowledge concerning etiology. Elucidation of factors associated with the disease has led to different therapeutic approaches. A comprehensive review of these modalities is presented. The concept of periodontosis as a distinct clinical showing the greatest resistance to the disease. This entity was introduced by Gottleib1 in 1923 in a report condition was further clarified by Baer7 in an article of a fatal case of influenza. He noted that the collage- that forms the basis for clinical diagnosis of what is nous periodontal ligament fibers had lost their orien- currently recognized as a distinct disease entity. He tation and had become loose connective tissue. He also defined periodontosis as a disease of the periodontium observed extensive résorption of the root apices and a occurring in an otherwise healthy adolescent which is widened periodontal ligament space, which he termed characterized by a rapid loss of alveolar bone about one "diffuse atrophy." The degenerative histologie appear- or more teeth in the permanent dentition, with minimal ance led Orban and Weinmann2 to describe the condi- accumulation of plaque, and little or no clinical inflam- tion in three stages: ( 1 ) degeneration of the periodontal mation. He described two forms of the disease: a local- ligament, (2) apical epithelial proliferation, and (3) ized form in which only permanent first molars and pocket formation. However, Wannemacher3 had earlier incisors are affected, and a more generalized form. questioned the degenerative nature ofthe disease, point- Other criteria described by Baer were: ( 1 ) age of onset ing out that an inflammatory process was dominant. 11 to 13 years—terminating at age 20, (2) vertical bone He noted that even in the presence of deep pockets, the loss in the molar regions with characteristic "arc-like" gingiva appeared healthy, but bleeding was produced defects and horizontal bone loss in the incisiors, (3) upon probing with a blunt instrument. Bernier4 and bilaterally symmetrical patterns of bone loss in the Ramfjord5 also dissented from the degenerative theory molar regions, (4) rapid progression of the disease, (5) with the observation that inflammation was always predilection for females, (6) tendency to occur in fam- present at the histologie level. ilial patterns, and (7) lack ofinvolvement ofthe primary The molar-incisor pattern of bone loss was first ob- dentition. served by Wannemacher in 1938.3 Tenenbaum et al.6 No uniform terminology for the condition has been stated that the disease was found primarily in adolescent accepted. In the recent literature the most frequently females and displayed a distinctive radiographie pat- used term for the molar-incisor form has been localized tern. Radiographie examination revealed arc-shaped juvenile Periodontitis (UP).8 There has been less con- bone loss in the molar region, starting from the mesial sensus concerning nomenclature of the generalized surface of the second molar and extending to the distal form. In 1977 Socransky9 described the microbiota surface ofthe second bicuspid. Bone loss was also noted associated with a "rapidly destructive Periodontitis" as in the incisor areas, with the mandibular bicuspid area separate from that seen in "periodontosis." More re- cently Page et al.10 have described a form of "rapidly * a of Tennessee at Formerly Resident in Periodontics, University as a distinct clinical condi- TN 38163. in in progressive Periodontitis" Memphis, Memphis. Currently private practice tion. How these conditions relate to the Akron. OH. may generalized t Professor and Director of Postgraduate Periodontics, University form of periodontosis described by Baer'1 is unclear. In of Tennessee at Memphis. this review the term LJP will be used for the localized 1 J. Periodontol. 2 Krüh Fry January, 1987 form, except when "Periodontitis" is quoted directly that the maxillary sinus enlarges by pneumatization from the literature. from the 3rd month of fetal life until age 18, thereafter A series of studies by Newman et al.12"14 and New- becoming more stable. Likewise, he observed that ac- man and Socransky15 established a credible microbial celerated pneumatization of the maxillary sinus into component for the etiology of LJP. They isolated "five the resultant edentulous ridge occurs following extrac- periodontosis groups" which are largely Gram-negative tion, thereby complicating any future periodontal ther- anaerobic rods (78% of the total cultivable flora), the apy. This led him to the opinion that these teeth should majority of which could not be identified by conven- be retained as long as possible. tional methods of classification. The periodontopathic One of the first studies involving treatment was per- potential of these organisms has been demonstrated in formed by Tenenbaum et al.34 in 1957. Patients with germ-free rats.16 Of interest relative to treatment was LJP were divided into five groups. Group I received the fact that all groups were found to be susceptible to "local dental treatment" consisting of oral hygiene in- tetracycline.13 structions, root and soft tissue curettage, selective tooth Considerable progress has been made in identifying grinding, and periodontal surgery over a period of 13 and characterizing the microorganisms in LJP.17"19 months. During the last 7 months, the patients received Numerically important organisms include various daily doses of vitamins A, complex, C, D, and dibasic Gram-negative facultative rods, mainly Actinobacillus calcium phosphate. Group II received the same local actinomycetemcomitans (A.a.) and Capnocytophaga. dental treatment but without the vitamin-calcium- Barbanell et al.20 demonstrated cytotoxic activity of phosphate therapy. Group III received only vitamin- endotoxin from LJP micoroorganisms. calcium-phosphate therapy. Group IV consisted of fe- Differences in lymphocytes,2'-22 polymorphonuclear male patients who were given daily 50-mg doses of the leukocytes (PMNs),23-24 structure of Immunoglobu- hormone methylandrostenediol. (The rationale for this lins,25 Immunoglobulin levels,21 and complement hormone therapy was the positive response seen when activation26 have been reported between patients with similar hormones were used in treating postmenopausal LJP and healthy controls, or between LJP patients and and senile osteoporosis.) Group V consisted of selected those with other forms of destructive periodontal dis- patients from the first and second groups who had ease. More recently, Genco et al.27 and Ranney et al.28 completed their "local dental treatment." Subsequently, have reported precipitating antibodies to bacteria splints were constructed of orthodontic bands and wires strongly associated with LJP, but not from patients with for temporary stabilization of the involved teeth. other forms of periodontal disease. Evaluation of the five groups over a period of 3 years There have been few direct genetic analyses regarding showed that local dental treatment with or without the LJP. Fourel29 has classified those studies into two vitamin-calcium-phosphate therapy improved the clin- groups: ( 1 ) familial patterns and (2) consanguinity de- ical appearance ofthe tissues and reduced pocket depth. terminations. Newman30 suggested that familial pat- Comparable radiographie improvement did not occur, terns may result from: (1) genetic predispositions to however. Group HI (vitamin-calcium-phosphate ther- specific groups of bacteria, (2) a genetically determined apy alone) and Group IV (hormone therapy) showed immunodeficiency, and (3) faulty or impaired forma- no appreciable clinical or radiographie improvement. tion and maintenance of periodontal tissue integrity. Group V ("local dental treatment" with or without (For a more complete review see Saxen, 1980.31) nutritional therapy, combined with splinting) was the Various therapeutic approaches to LJP have been only group to show radiographie improvement. This described, usually in the form of isolated case reports. consisted of a small increase in the per cent of radi- Few controlled studies have been carried out, and no ographie alveolar bone fill, plus an increase in the comprehensive review oftreatment modalities has been number of regions showing a "lamina dura" at the crest. published. This article offers such a review. Due to this response, the authors undertook permanent splinting in some of the patients. In a follow-up study35 REVIEW OF TREATMENT three of the patients were recalled 17 to 20 years after the permanent splints had been inserted. The patients treatment methods Early had not received regular dental care and the gingival The clinical management of LJP has not received the tissues were in poor condition, but no teeth had been same intensity of interest as its etiology and pathogen- lost due to periodontal disease, leading the authors to esis. Robinson32 in 1951 stated that local therapy is of speculate as to the value of long-term stabilization in little avail in "periodontosis," and until the last decade advanced periodontal conditions. little had been published on treatment approaches. This Another early method of treatment was proposed by tended to