Periodontal defects of pulpal origin: evidence in early man.

False assumptions have led to the widespread opinion that periodontitis of gingival origin is a ubiquitous disease and a common cause of tooth loss among ancient populations. Evaluation of dry skulls reveals that horizontal loss of crestal alveolar bone was unusual and of minor severity. Localized vertical bone defects of pulpal etiology were common and severe, often resulting in tooth mortality. The present paper identifies a number of factors that have contributed to the development of some important misconceptions about the nature of periodontal disease, its incidence, and its etiology.