Periodontal emotional stress syndrome

Eleven cases are presented which demonstrated severe periodontal bone loss especially in the posterior segments of the mouth in a group of young men, ages 22 to 32, unexplained by other local etiologic factors. The only common denominator in all cases was severe emotional stress associated with active duty in Viet Nam. The name "periodontal emotional stress syndrome (PESS)"is suggested as a possible term to be included in the nomenclature of the classification of periodontal disease.