Genetics in Periodontology

Periodontal diseases are multifactorial in nature, while microbial and other environmental factors are believed to initiate and modulate periodontal disease progression,there now exists strong supporting data that genetic risk factors play a role in predisposition to and progression of priodontal diseases. It is now evident that there exists a genetic basis for periodontitis. Many genetic syndromes involve mutations of single genes or larger chromosomal regions. Periodontitis frequently occurs in some subtypes of Ehlers Danlos syndrome, Kindler syndrome,Down syndrome (trisomy 21), leukocyte adhesion deficiencies, aplasia of acrimal glands. Hence this book reviews the genetic background factors related to periodontal disease and potential applications of this accumuated knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease.