A clinical and microbiologic examination of gingival disease in parapubescent females.

A longitudinal study of 18 subjects progressing normally through puberty (Group 1) and a cross-sectional study of nine subjects with precocious puberty (Group 2) were undertaken to evaluate the effect of puberty on clinical and microbiologic parameters of periodontal health. The most inflamed first molar was selected for subgingival plaque sampling. There was no significant change in mean Plaque Index (PlI), Gingival Index (GI) or dark-field microscopic counts of the associated microflora in Group 1 from session to session. Individual subjects changing black pigmented Bacteroides (BPB) carrier status at a session also experienced a change in GI when compared to the group as a whole. A positive correlation was observed between GI and PlI at all sessions in the study. No radiographic evidence of destructive periodontal disease was observed. A correlation was noted between the presence, but not the levels, of BPB and plasma estradiol concentration in Group 2 subjects. Isolation of BPB, almost all B. intermedius, was not correlated with physical maturation in either group. During puberty, mild gingivitis may exist prior to detectable colonization by spirochetes or BPB. Hormonal events of puberty do not necessarily foster the colonization of pathogens implicated in adult periodontitis.