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Early-onset periodontitis associated with Down's syndrome--clinical interventional study
P Cichon1, L Crawford, W D Grimm
1Department of Periodontal, University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany. wolf@uni-wh.de
Annals of Periodontology
|September 2, 1998
Summary
Individuals with Down's syndrome (DS) exhibit severe periodontal disease, resembling juvenile periodontitis, due to impaired immunity, not just poor hygiene. Plaque control showed limited benefit in DS patients, indicating altered immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Periodontology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Individuals with Down's syndrome (DS) have a higher prevalence of periodontal disease.
- This may stem from an exaggerated immune-inflammatory response, impaired immunity, and a deficient phagocytic system, beyond poor oral hygiene.
- The oral manifestations in DS patients align with the juvenile periodontitis (JP) disease pattern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the periodontal clinical and microbiological status of DS patients with patients with cerebral palsy (CP).
- To assess the impact of supragingival plaque control and oral hygiene instruction on these groups.
Main Methods:
- Clinical and microbiological parameters were monitored over 12 weeks post-initial examination and cleaning.
- Clinical assessments included plaque index (P1), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL).
- Subgingival plaque samples were analyzed for specific bacterial species using DNA probes.
Main Results:
- Both DS and CP patients presented with inflamed gingiva and high plaque levels.
- CP patients' periodontal parameters correlated with age and hygiene.
- DS patients exhibited deep pockets and a high prevalence of periodontal disease, consistent with JP, with limited clinical improvement after plaque control.
Conclusions:
- Periodontal destruction in DS patients resembles juvenile periodontitis.
- The limited clinical benefit from plaque control in DS patients suggests altered immunological responses contribute to severe periodontal disease.