Periodontal disease and tooth loss

Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that caries is the main reason for tooth loss. More recent epidemiological data seem to show an increasing trend of tooth loss due to periodontal reasons rather than caries. In considering the issue of periodontal disease and tooth loss the following observations were made. The presence of initial attachment loss, bone height and the habit of smoking significantly increase the risk of tooth mortality. There is a strong correlation between smoking, the severity of periodontal disease and tooth mortality. Cross-sectional population surveys of tooth loss reported lower anterior teeth to be the most frequently extracted due to periodontal reasons, followed by upper anteriors and upper second molars. However, in long term maintenance studies, molars were lost most frequently. Periodontal reasons for tooth loss were mainly mobility followed by furcation involvement. Periodontal surgery did not significantly enhance tooth retention in high risk groups. Ethnic differences observed were not significant and would need further investigations to address variables such as cultural differences, health habits, diet and socio-economic status. In conclusion, periodontal tooth mortality was found to be associated with the loss of periodontal attachment and risk groups with advanced periodontitis contributing to major tooth loss in a minority of the population.