Periodontal Aggressive
Periodontal Aggressive
Periodontal Aggressive
DOI: 10.22592/o2017n30a4
Abstract
influence, familial aggregation and early onset. It can be localized or generalized. It is not
chronic periodontitis in susceptible patients. Its diagnostic protocol includes a dental medical
includes improving oral hygiene, dental scaling and root planing, as well as systemic and
local antibiotic therapy. Surgical therapy will depend on each individual case. Maintenance
therapy is essential to achieve better results. The aim of this paper is to review diagnostic
and therapeutic protocols, and to propose a treatment flowchart based on the latest scientific
evidence.
2
Associate Professor and Periodontics Specialist. Universidad de San Martín de Porres. Lima, Perú. ORCID:
0000-0002-5497-6231
attachment loss, bone destruction, non-contributory medical history and family history of the
cases(1,2).
Early identification of this pathology can help prevent early loss of teeth. It is important to
health facilities in order to reduce the risk of functional impairment of the stomatognathic
system and its systemic impact. It is also a priority to standardize and articulate the
procedures provided in all the national healthcare institutions for this pathology.
This paper aims to be an updated review of the literature on diagnostic methods and
METHOD
A non-systematic narrative review was conducted regarding the diagnosis and treatment
criteria for aggressive periodontitis. The descriptors used were: “aggressive periodontitis”,
included. The papers were selected from PubMed, SciELO, Lilacs and Google scholar.
RESULTS
and alveolar bone loss, which is characterized by familial aggregation and affecting healthy
individuals, except periodontitis(3). It usually affects young people, but it can appear at any
(AAP) Workshop coined the term “aggressive periodontitis”, and the disease was classified
The generalized form of aggressive periodontitis has been strongly associated with bacteria
Tannerella forsythia(6,7); recent studies suggest that other microbial species could also be
chronic hyperactivity of neutrophils; these findings are consistent with recent reports of
suggest that this is due to abnormalities in the transduction signals. In addition, the
neutrophils of patients with localized aggressive periodontitis show reduced calcium entry(14),
defective calcium influx factor(15), abnormal activity of protein kinase C(16), among other
abnormalities.
4. Epidemiology
prevalence (less than 1%) in Caucasian subjects living in developed countries compared to
those living in developing countries (-0.5 to 5%)(17). One aspect that complicates the
parameters used to evaluate the identification of cases, which vary from one study to the
aggressive periodontitis: 1.0-3.0%. They are followed by Asians, with 0.4-1.0%, and
Hispanics and South Americans, with 0.5-1.0%, compared to Caucasian young populations,
with 0.1-0.2%(20-22). Löe and Brown estimated that African American adolescents are fifteen
times more likely to have aggressive periodontitis than white adolescents(23). Kissa et al.
found no differences in prevalence by gender and ethnic group(24). Mwokorie and Arowojolu
periodontitis among Ugandan students aged 12-25; of which 6.5% showed generalized or
localized aggressive periodontitis; and 22% showed incidental aggressive lesions(26). Hodge
et al. suggested that genetic factors are more significant than history of smoking in the
5. Risk factors
One of the main risk factors of aggressive periodontitis is family history associated with
inherited genetic traits. There is strong evidence that shows family history in young patients
with early onset of aggressive periodontal disease(1). Efforts made in the last twenty years to
identify specific genetic variations involved in the disease have not been conclusive.
Regarding oral hygiene, studies have suggested that there would be no correlation between
Risk factors identified for periodontal diseases are similar to the ones for chronic periodontitis
and aggressive periodontitis(28). These factors include: immunological host factors, ethnicity,
microbiological factors, oral hygiene habits, age, gender, frequency of dental visits,
lesions and mediated by Th2 cells. The localized form of aggressive periodontitis may
represent a different entity with a genetic or epigenetic component. This could explain the
association with the family history. On the other hand, aggressive generalized periodontitis
neutrophilic function and with high serum antibody response against periodontopathogens;
Histopathological changes are reflected in the bone changes detected radiographically, even
in mixed dentition(32).
could lead to an overlap of chronic periodontitis, which may complicate the histological and
immunohistological condition(2).
7. Microbiology
choice(33-40), which could explain eventual failures in the therapeutic modality. Localized
in the destruction of periodontal tissues. The most important one seems to be leukotoxic
activity(46,47). The highly leukotoxic bacterial strains of Aa (strain JP2) can produce 10 to 20
times more toxins than other strains, giving them the potential to interfere with innate immune
host defenses(48). Some studies have shown that highly leukotoxic strains appear exclusively
8. Clinical forms
It begins at peripubertal age. It is mainly located in the first molars/incisors, with interproximal
attachment loss in at least two permanent teeth, one of which is a first molar, and which
affects no more than two other teeth, apart from the first molars and incisors. It can also
present atypical patterns, such as affecting other teeth instead of those mentioned.
It usually affects people under 30, but they may be older. There is an interproximal
attachment loss which affects at least three permanent teeth additional to the first molars and
9. DIAGNOSIS
The patient's medical history should be thoroughly evaluated. We must determine if there are
risk factors such as smoking and psychosocial stress(5). Since one of the characteristics of
run, if necessary, to rule out background pathologies. Record if the patient is taking any
The following should be evaluated: clinical attachment levels, periodontal pocket depth,
bleeding on probing, furcations compromised, dental mobility, suppuration and oral hygiene.
Radiological examination
Periapical radiographic series: It should be done using the parallel technique and,
preferably, a millimeter grid. There are the following options: seven radiographs for the
upper arch and seven for the lower arch, two interproximal radiographs for molars and
recommended for young patients with mixed dentition, where probing can be confusing.
A distance greater than 2 mm between the cementoenamel junction and the alveolar
Figure 1. Clinical photograph of 56-year-old female patient old with aggressive periodontitis.
ABILITY
Studies agree that treatment should be supplemented with antibiotics(53). The objectives of
the treatment are the same as for chronic periodontitis: reducing or eliminating the bacterial
load and the contributory risk factors, in addition to regenerating the attachment apparatus as
soon as possible.
PERIODONTITIS
stress)
Educating the patient about the disease process, contributing factors, perpetuating
Teaching the patient about oral hygiene, evaluation and reinforcement of plaque
control measures(4)
Study, diagnosis and treatment of occlusal disharmony and temporomandibular
disorders(4)
Taking bacterial samples from selected pockets, cultures and antibiotic sensitivity
Local and systemic antibiotic treatment. The application of antibiotics via both
Systemic administration
supported(37, 38). The combination of amoxicillin and metronidazole as an adjuvant is the best
treatment of aggressive periodontitis are metronidazole, spiramycin and clindamycin (34). This
method has the advantage of reaching all the areas of the oral cavity. However, optimal
patient compliance is required to avoid an irregular administration that may not achieve the
Local administration
It allows for a high concentration of the drug in specific areas that would not be reached
systemically; however, since not all the affected areas are treated, there may be
reinfection(54). Several studies show that an adjuvant therapy with local antimicrobials leads
to pocket depth reduction and significant increases in the clinical attachment level compared
to the control groups. There is a better effect using tetracycline fibers, followed by
11.3 Re-evaluation
We should evaluate whether the treated sites show reduced probing depth, clinical
attachment gain and resolution of inflammation. Oral hygiene and patient's motivation
should also be evaluated(59), in addition to tooth mobility, occlusal state and root
sensitivity.
Studies show that access or regenerative surgical treatments may have good results in
patients with aggressive periodontitis, and that the effect may be similar to the ones obtained
in chronic periodontitis; provided it is complemented with proper oral hygiene, risk factors are
Resective, reparative or regenerative treatments can be carried out depending on the case.
If there is improvement after surgical treatment, maintenance will be carried out; otherwise,
we should return to the initial phase. It is important to monitor the surgically-treated areas.
The success of the treatment will largely depend on patient compliance, both through
appointments every three months have shown favorable results; however, based on the
- Monitor probing depth, clinical attachment level, gingival bleeding, tooth mobility(55),
- Consider extracting teeth with terminal or unviable progressive disease using conservative
periodontal health
Systemic evaluation of the patient to rule out diseases, hereditary traits and conditions
The long-term treatment outcome will depend on the patient's care, compliance with
maintenance appointments and plaque control skills. If primary teeth are affected, eruption
Due to the potential familial nature of aggressive diseases, evaluation and counseling of
CONCLUSIONS
Aggressive periodontitis are rare pathologies, mainly found in patients of African ethnicity or
African descent. Early onset, family aggregation and rapid progression are usually their main
characteristics. Consensus have been established on the forms of the disease: localized and
generalized. Immunological, genetic and microbiological factors are strongly associated, and
seem to determine the two presentation forms. The concept of exclusivity of the periodontal
partially depreciated. Controversies have also arisen about the classification of aggressive
periodontitis as a clinical entity independent from chronic periodontitis, because they share a
common genetic basis, which would explain the phenotypic expression of the same disease.
The diagnostic and therapeutic protocol does not differ much from that of other periodontal
diseases; however special attention should be paid to family history, systemic condition,
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