Sclerostin - The silent bone breaker

Abstract

A disparity between host defense and periodontopathogens leads to periodontitis, which is an inflammatory disease of the periodontium of high prevalence. The dysregulated host immune response brought on by the disease’s ongoing progression may result in tissue and bone destruction, which ultimately leads to tooth loss. Interpretation of bone metabolism has enhanced as a result of the identification of sclerostin and its function as a bone mass regulator. Primarily, osteocytes express sclerostin, an SOST gene known to inhibit formation of bone. The canonical Wnt pathway involved in bone homeostasis, is significantly suppressed by Sclerostin. It is thought to result in resorption of bone by altering the ratio of OPG and RANKL. Characteristics, mode of action and significance of sclerostin in periodontal diseases are discussed in this review.