pattern grade C periodontitis from generalized grade C periodontitis.
| Features | Molar/incisor pattern grade C periodontitis | Generalized grade C periodontitis |
| Age of onset | Circumpubertal | <30 years but may be older |
| Clinical manifestation | Involves no more than two teeth other than incisors and first molars | Involves at least three teeth other than incisors and first molars |
| Serum antibody response to infecting agents [13] | Robust response | Poor response |
E. The prevalence of molar/incisor pattern periodontitis varies among racial and geographic groups. Molar/incisor pattern periodontitis has a 10‐fold higher prevalence in African Americans, Middle Easterners, and Hispanics [14]. The prevalence is ~0.2% in Caucasian populations and ~2% in those of African descent [15,16]. Molar/incisor pattern periodontitis may also start in the primary dentition [17,18]. The proportion of affected males and females is similar [19,20].
F. Nonmotile Gram‐negative anaerobic rods such as A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis [21–24], and red and some orange complex species [25] are the most numerous and prevalent periodontal pathogens in molar/incisor pattern periodontitis and are present in most of the diseased sites compared to healthy sites. The microbiomes of molar/incisor pattern periodontitis may vary among different ethnic groups, but A. actinomycetemcomitans (especially serotype b) was found in higher numbers and frequency, at least in the early stage, when compared with other pathogens [21,26]. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans produces a leukotoxin that affects the antibacterial function of neutrophils. The heightened antibody responses to A. actinomycetemcomitans may also be responsible for the localized periodontal destruction [27].
The exact reason why the disease is localized to first molars and incisors with such early onset in young adults is still debatable. However, those young patients’ hormonal changes and the fact that the first molars and incisors are the first permanent teeth to erupt may alter the microbial environment in some unique way that causes the periodontal destruction [14].
G. The general treatment methods should be similar to those used for periodontitis, including oral hygiene instruction/reinforcement, plaque control, scaling and root planing, and occlusal adjustment (if necessary).
Additional treatments that may be required in certain patients include the following.
General medical evaluation to determine the presence of any systemic diseases. Consultation with the physician may be indicated.
Counseling of family members.
Adjunctive use of amoxicillin combined with metronidazole [28]. Tetracycline is contraindicated in young patients due to the problem of tooth staining. Systemic administration of amoxicillin 500 mg plus metronidazole 250 mg three times daily for seven days with maintenance every three months resulted in significant clinical improvement and reduced levels of key periodontal pathogens in the long term [29].
Periodontal maintenance with short interval may be needed.
Teeth with poor prognosis are usually extracted mostly in phase 1 or sometimes phase 2 of periodontal therapy. Most of the intrabony defects that result from molar/incisor pattern periodontitis and that are amenable to regeneration are surgically treated using either guided tissue regeneration (GTR) [30] or enamel matrix derivative (EMD) with xenografts/allografts [31,32] (Figure 1.5.9). See the appropriate chapters in this textbook for more details on these surgical techniques. Limited studies have shown that the adjunctive use of local subgingival antimicrobials does not result in additional improvement of clinical parameters.
H. Scaling and root planing in combination with amoxicillin 375 mg and metronidazole 250 mg (t.i.d. for seven days) in patients with A. actinomycetemcomitans‐associated periodontitis improved clinical parameters and suppressed A. actinomycetemcomitans below cultivable levels in most of the patients for up to two years with supportive periodontal therapy once every three to six months [33,34]. Patients showing compliance with the antibiotic regimen also have better treatment outcome. Long‐term stabilization of periodontal health after amoxicillin 500 mg and metronidazole 250 mg plus periodontal surgeries has been reported, with a small percentage (5–10%) showing recurrence in five years [35,36].
Figure 1.5.9 Classical intrabony defect affecting a mandibular first molar in another patient with localized aggressive periodontitis (top left). Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) was performed to regenerate the periodontal defect using bone grating and membrane (top right). Periapical radiographs depict the vertical bony defect before (lower left) and after (lower right) GTR therapy. Significant radiographic bone fill was obtained after GTR therapy.
Most patients have a relatively good prognosis if kept in a maintenance protocol. It has been shown that 73% of patients undergoing supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) at least every six months would not need further retreatment in over 20 years [37]. Long‐term follow‐up case reports have also shown a low recurrence rate with SPT every three to six months for 30 years [38] or in the absence of consistent maintenance for 15 years [39]. However, 8–30% of patients may progress to a generalized pattern of disease [40,41]. Successful regenerative treatment outcomes have also been shown following GTR [30] or using EMD with xenografts [31,32,42].
The success rate of tooth implants in patients with molar/incisor pattern periodontitis is not conclusive. Overall, molar/incisor pattern stage C periodontitis shows less progression and tooth loss than generalized stage C periodontitis. Considering the defect in host response in these patients, it is reasonable to expect lower survival rates of the teeth and implants in these patients, compared to grade A or B periodontitis patients. Clinicians should be aware that these patients are generally younger than those with grade A or B periodontitis. The implant prosthesis would need to remain esthetic and functional for a longer period of time in these patients. Consultation with other specialists to evaluate the alterative restorative options, such as orthodontic treatment, might also help to determine whether or not to extract.
Case 1.6 Chronic Periodontitis
CASE STORY
The patient had been referred by his general dentist for periodontal treatment. Although he had a long history of dental treatment, he had never been diagnosed with periodontal disease. At the time of his first visit he had no chief complaint. He did report occasional gingival bleeding during toothbrushing.
LEARNING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
To be able to identify the clinical features and overall characteristics of periodontitis
To be able to list difficulties in the proper diagnosis of early presentations of periodontitis
To understand possible aggressiveness patterns on the progression of periodontitis
To know what