Juvenile periodontitis in Ibadan, Nigeria

Juvenile periodontitis is a form of periodontitis characterised by a pattern of rapid vertical loss of alveolar bone around the permanent first molars and incisors. In this hospital based retrospective study of juvenile periodontitis in Ibadan, 34 cases in the age range 17-34 years were seen over a period of five years. The mean age was 23.2 years. Diagnosis was made on accepted clinical and radiological parameters. The findings showed a low prevalence of 1.56%, (64.7% of localised juvenile periodontitis, 35.3% of generalised juvenile periodontitis). There was a 2:1 female to male relationship and the oral hygiene status of the subjects was fairly good in most instances. Remarkable symmetrical pattern and relationship was observed. The age of onset or age at presentation was 17 years contrary to reports from other studies which revealed circumpubertal age of onset.