Periodontal disease associated with Down's syndrome: an orthopantomographic evaluation

The occurrence of advanced periodontal disease with bone loss in patients with Down's syndrome was studied by orthopantomographic technique to obtain objective and quantitative data. The results were compared to a material of pairs matched according to age, sex, and the severity of mental retardation. Both groups of patients were institutionalized and subject to the same hospital conditions and dental care. Eighty-four percent of the young adults (19 to 39 years of age) with Down's syndrome showed advanced alveolar bone loss of 2.5 mm or more as compared with 27% in the matched pair contorls. The mean bone loss of the mandibular first molars in the study group was detected in 17.8%, and in 3.0% in their controls. No difference in radiographically detectable calculus, decay and/or fillings were observed between the two groups. It is concluded that Down's syndrome is associated with an increased prevalence and severity of periodontal disease, and that this is due to the basic congenital disorder rather than to institutionalization or inadequate oral hygiene.¿