Viruses: The Bystanders and Fore-Runners to Periodontal Diseases

Periodontal disease is a microbial infection involving a diversity of microbes that trigger inflammation, loss of connective tissue attachment and alveolar bone around the teeth. Epstein¿Barr virus and cytomegalovirus are the most commonly researched viruses in periodontology, and more than one million herpes virus genome-copies can be present in a single periodontitis site. The abundance of herpes viruses in aggressive periodontitis lesions suggests a role of the virus in the development of the disease. The contribution of viruses in initiation and perpetuation of chronic periodontitis has attracted considerable research in the past two decades. The association is based on fulfilling the definition of what is a candidate pathogen for periodontal disease and some of the criteria are met to a certain degree. In fact, there are strong proponents who advocate antiviral therapy in the management of chronic and refractory types of periodontitis.