The effect of occlusal discrepancies on periodontitis. I. Relationship of initial occlusal discrepancies to initial clinical parameters.

BACKGROUND

A causal relationship between occlusal discrepancies and periodontal disease has been postulated in the past. However, animal studies and clinical studies have not been able to clearly demonstrate or rule out this potential relationship.

METHODS

The records from a private practice limited to periodontics were reviewed to find patients who had complete periodontal examination records, including occlusal analysis, that were recorded at least 1 year apart. Patients who fit these criteria were divided into a group who had none of the recommended treatment (untreated n = 30), those that had only nonsurgical treatment (partially treated n = 18), and a control group that had complete all recommended treatment (surgically treated n = 41). The data for each tooth of each patient, including occlusal status, were placed in a database and analyzed using the generalized estimating equations (GEE) method to test for associations between initial occlusal discrepancies and various initial clinical parameters while adjusting for significant confounders.

RESULTS

Teeth with initial occlusal discrepancies were found to have significantly deeper initial probing depths (P < 0.0001), significantly worse prognoses (P < 0.0001), and significantly worse mobility than teeth without initial occlusal discrepancies. In addition, this association between initial occlusal discrepancies and initial periodontal condition was found to hold for various subsets considered as well, including posterior teeth only and when only patients with good oral hygiene were considered.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that there is a strong association between initial occlusal discrepancies and various clinical parameters indicative of periodontal disease. Based on adjustments made for other known risk factors for periodontal disease, such as smoking, poor oral hygiene, etc., this study provides some evidence that occlusal discrepancy is an independent risk factor contributing to periodontal disease.