Medical Health Encyclopedia

Chronic Periodontitis. Chronic periodontitis (also referred to as adult periodontitis) may begin in adolescence as a slowly progressing disease that becomes clinically significant in the mid-30s and continues throughout life. Some experts question whether it is a chronic, unrelenting condition and instead suggest that it waxes and wanes depending on the response of the immune system.

Aggressive Periodontitis. Aggressive periodontitis (also referred to as early onset periodontitis) often occurs in young people. It is subdivided according to whether it begins before or after puberty. Immune deficiencies and a genetic link have been shown to be possible factors for all types of aggressive periodontitis. If the condition is localized and treated, the outlook is positive. People with severe and widespread aggressive periodontitis are at high risk for tooth loss. It is notable that according to a study in 2001, impaired infection-fighting white blood cells, together with bacterial presence, can lead to aggressive periodontitis.

• Periodontitis that occurs before puberty is very rare. It begins with the eruption of primary teeth in the first year and causes severe inflammation and bone and tooth loss.
• Juvenile periodontitis begins at puberty and is defined by severe bone loss around the first molars and incisors. It is more common in girls than in boys. The clinical signs such as inflammation, bleeding, and heavy plaque accumulation are not present in this relatively rare disease. The treatment is the same as in chronic periodontitis.
• Rapidly progressive periodontitis occurs in the early 20s to mid-30s. Severe inflammation and rapid bone and connective tissue loss occur, and tooth loss is possible within a year of onset.

Text Continues Below

---

Disease-Related Periodontitis. Periodontitis can also be associated with a number of systemic diseases, including type 1 diabetes, Down syndrome, AIDS, and several rare disorders of white blood cells.