A Review of Aggressive Periodontitis and an Associated Case Report

From Volume 36, Issue 1, January 2009 | Pages 38-50

Authors

Seamus Sharkey

BDS NUI, FRACDS, MFDS RSCI

Prosthodontic Postgraduate, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Periodontology Dublin Dental School, Dublin, Ireland

Articles by Seamus Sharkey

Aifric Nic Chaollai

BDentSci, MFDS RSCI

Senior House Officer, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Periodontology Dublin Dental School, Dublin, Ireland

Articles by Aifric Nic Chaollai

Michael O'Sullivan

BA, BDentSc, MSc, FFD RCSI, FDS RCSEd, PhD

Senior Lecturer/Consultant in Restorative Dentistry (Special Needs), Department of Restorative Dentistry and Periodontology Dublin Dental School, Dublin, Ireland

Articles by Michael O'Sullivan

Abstract

Aggressive periodontitis is a debilitating oral disease that results in rapid destruction of the periodontal tissues. It has recently been reclassified and ongoing efforts are now being made to understand its pathogenesis and record its prevalence in the population. This case report gives a brief outline of studies that have investigated why this disease tends to occur in otherwise young healthy adults. The mechanisms behind such extensive periodontal damage are discussed. A case report of a patient with aggressive periodontitis, treated in the Dublin Dental School and Hospital, is presented and the rationale behind his treatment is discussed.

Article