Prevalence and natural history of periodontal disease in a London, Spitalfields, population (1645-1852 AD)

The periodontal health of an eighteenth century English population was investigated using a method of assessing the interdental septa for varying degrees of textural and architectural changes. It was found that, despite the fact that no effective dental treatment was available, the prevalence and distribution of periodontitis lesions were similar to those in modern English populations. The study confirmed the existence of susceptible and resistant subgroups of individuals and of teeth. The sixth decade appeared to have been a period of increased susceptibility to periodontitis. The findings do not support the view that periodontal disease is the primary cause of tooth loss in the uncared-for dentition.