Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Effects of Mechanical Methods Used in Peri-implantitis Treatment on Implant Surface Decontamination and Roughness
Published on: March 14, 2025
Prevalence and simultaneous occurrence of periodontitis and dental caries
Pauli T Mattila1, Mirka C Niskanen, Miira M Vehkalahti
1Oral and Maxillofacial Department, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
Aim:
The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and simultaneous occurrence of periodontal disease and dental caries in Finnish adults.
Material And Methods:
The study was performed as part of the nationally representative Health 2000 Survey. The study population was 5255 subjects aged 30 years and older. Probing pocket depth (PPD) and untreated dentinal caries were recorded by tooth. Teeth with PPD 4mm and deeper indicated periodontal disease, and teeth with PPD 6mm and deeper indicated a severe periodontal disease.
Results:
Sixty-four percent of persons had periodontal disease, 21% had a severe periodontal disease, and 29% had dental caries. Persons having periodontal disease had significantly more often dental caries (33%) compared with those without periodontal disease (23%). This was even more evident in persons having severe periodontal disease (44%). Accordingly, persons having dental caries had significantly more often severe periodontal disease (31%) compared with those without dental caries (16%). The mean number of teeth with dental caries or periodontal disease per person was greater when the mean number of teeth with the other disease was also greater.
Conclusions:
These data indicate that especially severe periodontal disease and dental caries tend to accumulate in the same subjects.
Related Concept Videos
Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...
Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
Prevalence and Incidence
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health condition at a...
The Oral Microbiota
Development of the Oral Microbiota
Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence