Periodontal space: a major route to bone involvement in oral cancer

Oral cancers are presumed to involve mandible or maxilla by direct invasion and destruction of periosteum and underlying bone. In countries where there is a high incidence of oral cancers, most patients have poor dental hygiene and chronic periodontitis. We hypothesize that in such situations spread through the periodontal space is the major route to bone. We suggest that micro and macroscopic examination of the root surface can identify this and that this has to be done for proper 'T' grouping of tumours.