Distribution of alveolar bone defects associated with periodontitis: A demographic study

Introduction: Periodontal disease is one of the most widespread diseases of humankind. It is a chronic destructive infectious disease that involves the resorption of bone supporting the teeth. The purpose of this study was to analyse the prevalence and distribution of different forms of bone defects amongst different demographics in the Indian population. Materials and Methods: The study population comprised 44 patients of different age groups with moderate and severe periodontitis chronic periodontitis. A total sample of 1041 teeth were explored surgically and classified into suprabony, infrabony, inter-radicular and other bone defects. This study focuses on the differences in the distribution of various bone defects between different groups of age and gender. Results: Amongst 1041 teeth, the prevalence of bone defects was 97%. Craters and intrabony defects were almost equal for the age groups of 31–40 years and 41–50 years. However, in the age group of 51–60 years, craters comprised 33.3%, and intrabony defects comprised 66.7%. Males had two times more 3-wall defects than females. Conclusion: The present study reveals that there is a need for applying epidemiological principles to periodontal bone defects in order to better understand the natural history of periodontal disease and eradicate the factors responsible for their commencement and progression. The following research article has been presented at the 2nd international congress of the World Academy of Growth Factors and Stem Cells in Dentistry 25–27 October 2018.