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The natural history of periodontal attachment loss during the third and fourth decades of life
Author(s) -
Thomson W. Murray,
Shearer Dara M.,
Broadbent Jonathan M.,
Foster Page Lyndie A.,
Poulton Richie
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1111/jcpe.12108
Subject(s) - periodontitis , cohort , medicine , clinical attachment loss , cohort study , dentistry , demography , natural history , sociology
Aim To describe changes in the occurrence of periodontal attachment loss ( AL ) through ages 26, 32 and 38 in a complete birth cohort. Materials and Methods Systematic periodontal examinations conducted at ages 26, 32 and 38 in a longstanding New Zealand cohort study ( N = 1037). Periodontitis extent data were used to assign participants to periodontitis trajectories using group‐based trajectory analysis. Results Eight hundred and thirty‐one individuals were periodontally examined at all three ages; the prevalence and extent of AL increased as the cohort aged. Between 26 and 32, one in nine participants had 1+ sites showing new or progressing AL; that proportion almost doubled between ages 32 and 38. Four periodontitis trajectory groups were identified, comprising 55.2%, 31.5%, 10.7% and 2.5% of the cohort; these were termed the “Very low”, “Low”, “Moderately increasing” and “Markedly increasing” trajectory groups respectively. Those who had smoked tobacco at all ages from 15 through 38 were at higher risk of being in the “Moderately increasing” or “Markedly increasing” trajectory groups. There was a similar risk gradient for those who were in the highest 20% of cannabis usage. Conclusions Periodontitis commences relatively early in adulthood, and its progression accelerates with age, particularly among smokers.