[Aging and periodontal disease. Clinical study of gingival recession]

Gingival mucus in an older patient is the site of the slowing-down of the cellular turnover, of a lessening of metabolic activity and of keratinisation. The resistance to mechanical attacks and bacteria lessens thus its potential for repair. Thus one notes a worsening state of parodontal complaints during old age. By means of a study carried out at the Clinique de Parodontie of the Institut d'Odonto-Stomatologie in Dakar, we propose to attempt to see if the presence of gingival retraction can be linked with parodontal senescence by means of observing 318 patients.