Advanced periodontitis associated with Larsen's syndrome: case report

Larsen's syndrome is a genetic disorder of connective tissue characterized by multiple large-joint dislocations, abnormalities of hands and feet, and anomalous facial features. Although findings involving multiple systems have been added to its clinical and pathological entity, oral pathology besides cleft palate has not been reported. We report here advanced periodontitis with severe gingival inflammation in a 29-year-old Larsen's syndrome patient. Bacterial culture of subgingival plaque identified the periodontal pathogens that were present in numbers above the normal range. We speculate that the underlying defect in connective tissue may predispose Larsen's syndrome patients to periodontal destruction provoked by microbiological factors.