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Periodontal ligament changes in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis
Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Oral Pathology
|July 1, 1984
Summary
Progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) can cause oral issues, specifically widening of the periodontal ligament (PDL) space. This study found significantly thicker PDL spaces in PSS patients compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Rheumatology
- Radiology
Background:
- Progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) is a connective tissue disease with known oral manifestations.
- Widening of the periodontal ligament (PDL) space is a reported oral finding in PSS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively assess and compare the PDL space width in patients with PSS versus a matched control group.
- To determine the prevalence and extent of PDL space thickening in PSS patients.
Main Methods:
- Periapical radiographs were used to measure PDL width at four sites around seven selected teeth.
- Measurements were taken for 26 patients with PSS and 26 age- and sex-matched controls.
Main Results:
- Patients with PSS exhibited a larger mean PDL width compared to controls, affecting both anterior and posterior teeth.
- One-third of teeth in PSS patients showed PDL widths exceeding the control range.
- At least 65% of PSS patients had mean PDL widths greater than the control range.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms and quantifies increased PDL space width in patients with PSS.
- PDL space thickening in PSS is more pronounced in posterior teeth than anterior teeth.
- PDL width measurement may serve as a diagnostic indicator for oral manifestations of PSS.