Localized prepubertal periodontitis: literature review and report of case

This case describes a young, healthy, white female who demonstrated anterior alveolar bone loss along with premature loss of her primary incisors. The alveolar bone loss remains unexplained. The root surfaces of most of the primary anterior teeth exhibited one or more eroded areas devoid of cementum with some evidence in two teeth of cellular resorptive activity. These findings suggest that premature root resorption was occurring concurrently with unexplained extensive alveolar bone loss. The child will be examined periodically to determine whether this process of bone loss with subsequent tooth loss will involve additional primary or permanent teeth.