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Robust Ligature-Induced Model of Murine Periodontitis for the Evaluation of Oral Neutrophils
Published on: January 21, 2020
Pathogenic oral microbiota abundance is associated with reduced bite force in patients with periodontitis
Chih-Chieh Wen1, Thu Ya Linn2, Ting-Yi Renn2
1Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Background /Purpose:
Periodontitis leads to tissue destruction and functional impairment, but the interplay between microbiota, clinical parameters, and biomechanics remains unclear. This study aimed to quantitatively correlate specific oral microbial signatures and clinical inflammatory indicators with bite force in patients with periodontitis.
Materials And Methods:
Fifteen patients with stage III-IV periodontitis and 15 periodontally healthy controls were recruited. Clinical parameters (Probing Depth, Clinical Attachment Loss, Bleeding on Probing, Plaque Index) and MBF (pressure-sensitive film) were recorded. Supragingival plaque was analyzed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing (PacBio SMRT) to determine microbial composition. Correlation analyses were performed.
Results:
The periodontitis group had significantly higher CAL (4.97 ± 1.18 vs. 2.49 ± 0.21 mm) and BOP (49.16 ± 17.97% vs. 14.52 ± 5.29%), and significantly lower MBF (561.17 vs. 891.46 N) (all P-values <0.05). Across all subjects, Plaque Index and BOP were significantly negatively correlated with bite force. In patients, Porphyromonas abundance showed a significant positive correlation with BOP (ρ = 0.425), whereas Streptococcus showed a negative correlation (ρ = -0.381). Furthermore, higher abundances of pathogenic genera (e.g., Porphyromonas, Capnocytophaga) were significantly associated with reduced MBF.
Conclusion:
Bite force decline in periodontitis is directly associated with both clinical inflammation (BOP) and specific pathogenic bacterial loads (e.g., Porphyromonas). Microbial signatures combined with MBF may serve as a novel, integrative biomarker for assessing periodontitis severity beyond traditional clinical indices.
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