Association between signs of trauma from occlusion and periodontitis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between signs of trauma from occlusion, severity of periodontitis and radiographic record of bone support. The maxillary first molars of 300 individuals were independently evaluated by two examiners for signs of trauma from occlusion, pattern or occlusal contacts and severity of periodontitis. Each site was also evaluated radiographically by an independent third examiner. The results indicated that: teeth with either bidigital mobility, functional mobility, a widened periodontal ligament space or the presence of radiographically visible calculus had a deeper probing depth, more loss of clinical attachment and less radiographic osseous support than teeth without these findings, teeth with occlusal contacts in centric relation, working, nonworking or protrusive positions did not exhibit any greater severity of periodontitis than teeth without these contacts, teeth with both functional mobility and radiographically widened periodontal ligament space had deeper probing depth, more clinical attachment loss and less radiographic osseous support than teeth without these findings and given equal clinical attachment levels, teeth with evidence of functional mobility and a widened periodontal ligament space had less radiographic osseous support than teeth without these findings.