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Periodontal conditions among the old elderly: five-year longitudinal study
1Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, POB 41, 00014 Helsinki, Finland. shilpi.ajwani@helsinki.fi
Summary
Periodontal health in older adults remained stable over five years, with no significant changes in treatment needs. Aging itself does not cause periodontal disease in healthy elderly individuals.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Periodontology
- Dental Public Health
Background:
- Increasing population of elderly (85+) in Finland retaining natural teeth.
- Limited longitudinal data on periodontal health in the elderly (75+).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare periodontal health and treatment needs in elderly individuals at baseline and after a five-year follow-up.
- To investigate the impact of aging on periodontal status in a Finnish elderly cohort.
Main Methods:
- Population-based Helsinki Aging Study (HAS) cohort.
- Baseline examination in 1990-91 (n=196) and follow-up in 1995-96 (n=73).
- Periodontal status assessed using the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN).
Main Results:
- Mean number of teeth decreased slightly from 15.9 to 15.1 over five years.
- Minor shifts in CPITN codes observed, with an increase in code 2 and decrease in code 3.
- Overall periodontal treatment needs remained stable between baseline and follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Periodontal health in the elderly cohort remained stable over a five-year period.
- Aging process does not appear to negatively impact periodontal health in relatively healthy older adults.
- Minimal changes in periodontal treatment needs suggest stability in oral health management for this population.