[Evaluation of relation between signs of trauma from occlusion and severity of periodontitis]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the various occlusal interferences, signs of trauma from occlusion and their relations to severity of periodontitis. 32 cases of moderate to advanced adult periodontitis patients participated in the study with a mean age of 37.6 years. All subjects received a complete periodontal examination and occlusal analysis. The results indicated that teeth with various occlusal interferences did not exhibit any greater severity of periodontitis than those without interferences. However, widened periodontal ligament space (PDLS) was frequently seen in teeth with occlusal interference. Two combined criteria were initially suggested to identify the occlusal trauma in clinic. The first criterion included presence of functional tooth mobility plus radiographically widened PDLS. The second, presence of significant tooth wear plus radiographically thickened lamina dura. The results showed that teeth with the first criteria had deeper probing depth, more clinical attachment loss and less alveolar bone support than teeth without these findings. However, teeth with the second criteria had less attachment loss and more bone support than teeth from control group. It was suggested that both of the combined criteria provide better reliability in determination of established occlusal trauma as well as evaluation of adaptive capacity of periodontal structure to increased biting force. The regression analysis demonstrated that given equal clinical attachment levels and similar inflammation, teeth with evidences of functional mobility and widened PDLS had less osseous support than teeth without these findings (P < 0.01). The difference became greater in line with the more loss of clinical attachment.