Risk factors for periodontitis.

This review presents a selected overview of the literature concerning risk factors for periodontitis. That in some individuals gingivitis develops into periodontitis is still a matter of extensive research. Cross-sectional studies of clinical and microbiological factors can be meaningful. Longitudinal studies of the natural history allow analysis of potential factors and conditions that may have an impact on the disease process. At present, several possible risk factors for the initiation and progression of periodontitis have been identified: age, gender, plaque, calculus, existing attachment loss. A consistent finding appears to be genetic predisposition for the development of the disease. In terms of microbiology, several micro-organisms have been identified. The results of the Java Project on natural development of Periodontal Disease clearly pinpoint Actinobacillus actinimycetemcomitans as being associated with the onset of disease. The presence of subgingival calculus was found to be associated with onset and dental plaque with progression of disease. Consistent with literature males are more susceptible to disease. The presence of pockets > or = 5 mm appear to be a useful tool, since it was found to be a prognostic factor for disease progression.