Osteoporosis and Periodontal Disease

Osteoporosis and Periodontitis are prevalent conditions. Osteoporosis impacts half of the elderly over 65 and periodontal disease affects half of the adult population, there by affecting a large number of populations across the world. The number of patients who suffer from these diseases is expected to increase as the population advances in age. Both are ¿silent diseases¿ which cause bone loss mediated by local and systemic factors. They share similar risk factors like increased prevalence with age, smoking, and influence of other diseases or medications that may interfere with healing. They also affect bone mass and require expensive, long-term medical and dental care. A number of studies demonstrated a relationship between oral bone loss and systemic bone loss as well as an association of reduced BMD with an increased severity of periodontal diseases. Considering the number of existing similarities between osteoporosis and periodontitis it is reasonable to assume that at least a part of periodontal destruction could be influenced by systemic bone loss.