Journal of Dental Medicine

Background and Aim: Multiple systemic and local factors contribute to the incidence and progression of periodontal diseases. Osteoporosis is defined as changes in trabecular bone structure and probably as a systemic risk factor of periodontitis. Since both diseases are considered as major public health problems and affect numbers of adults the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between osteoporosis and periodontal disease and the role of oral hygiene in this process.

Materials and Methods: In this historical cohort study, 68 patients were selected from 111 individuals for whom femoral and hip BMD (Bone Mineral Density) with DXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) procedure was performed and PI (Plaque Index) recorded. Cases were divided into four groups of 17 persons each as follow: osteoporotic with good oral hygiene (OH), osteoporotic with poor oral hygiene (OP) normal with good oral hygiene (NH), and normal with poor oral hygiene (NP). Clinical examinations including BOP (bleeding on probing),GR (gingival recession), PPD (probing pocket depth) and TL (tooth loss) was performed for all cases. Data were analyzed by two-way and four-way ANOVA test, with p<0.05 as the level of significance.

Results: Significant relation was observed between GR (P=0.045), and TL (P=0.050) with BMD independent of oral hygiene. Whereas such relation was not true for BOP and PPD (P=0.989).

Conclusion: Our finding showed that osteoporosis can make patients more vulnerable to periodontal diseases by reducing trabecular bone mass and is related to gingival recession as well as tooth loss.

Background and Aims: There is not sufficient knowledge about the relationship between smoking and vertical bone loss in periodontal diseases. There are also important evidences which propose harmful effects of smoking on periodontal tissues including alveolar bone. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between smoking and prevalence and severity of vertical bone defects.
Materials and Methods: This case-control study consisted of 71 individuals with angular bone defects (case) and 69 individuals without angular bone defects (control) between 18 to 70 years old. People were selected by radiography, examining and filling up the questionnaire. Vertical bone defect was defined as interproximal bone resorption to the extent of ≥2mm with a clear angel towards the Mesial or Distal of root. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.
Result: The mean age of studied individuals was 37.14 years (±12.72). Among people with angular bone defects, 21.1% were light smokers and 25.4% were moderate-heavy smokers. There was a significant difference between smokers and nonsmokers in terms of smoking status and the chance of having angular bone defects (P=0.001). Simultaneous study of the effect of sex, age, brushing and smoking status showed that except sex, other variables have a significant effect on angular bone defects. The chance of having angular bone defects in light and heavy-moderate smokers was more than that in nonsmokers (adjusted OR=4.17 and adjusted OR=3.87, respectively).
Conclusion: These observations propose that smoking is related to increase in prevalence and severity of vertical bone defects. Smoking is considered as a potential risk factor for vertical periodontal bone loss.