Radiographic and clinical signs of periodontitis and associated bacterial species in a Swedish adolescent population

• Background: Periodontitis in adolescents has historically been rare in the Nordic countries but could be expected to increase due to changes in demographics. The primary aim was to cross-sectionally examine the presence of radiographic bone loss in adolescents in Västerbotten County, Sweden. The secondary aim was to compare periodontal and microbial parameters, as well as demographic patterns, in controls without bone loss with cases with bone loss.Methods: Adolescents born 2001 and who had a dental examination 2016 (n = 1656) were screened for proximal bone loss using bitewing radiographs taken during dental examinations (2014-2016). Individuals that exhibited proximal bone loss (> 2 mm) were invited to participate in a complete periodontal examination. Subgingival plaque and saliva were also sampled. For each adolescent with bone loss, two healthy individuals as controls were examined. Selected bacterial species in saliva and subgingival plaque were quantitatively examined by quantitative PCR. The subgingival plaque samples were also analysed with cultivation technique.Results: Proximal bone loss was identified in 24 individuals (1.45%) based on all the radiographs. Thirteen of these cases were periodontally examined and matched with 26 controls. Most cases were diagnosed with periodontitis (12/13 [92%]), whereas none of the controls had periodontitis. Higher concentrations and higher prevalence of the bacteria Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Filifactor alocis were generally found in the cases.Conclusion:The results suggest that periodontitis among adolescents, because of demographic differences (an increasingly heterogenous population), in Sweden is increasing and emphasizes the importance of radiographs for early detection of this disease.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Odontologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Dentistry (hsv//eng)

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