Obesity and Periodontal Outcomes: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Brazil

Association between Periodontal Disease and Obesity: Umbrella Review

Objective: Determine the association between periodontal disease (PD) and obesity through an umbrella review. Materials and Methods: A search for information until March 2024 was carried out in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane library, Scopus, SciELO, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Proquest Dissertations and Theses, and OpenGrey. We included studies that were systematic reviews (SR) with or without meta-analysis, without time or language restrictions, that evaluated primary studies that associated PD with obesity. Literary or narrative reviews, rapid reviews, intervention studies, observational studies, preclinical and basic research, summaries, comments, case reports, protocols, personal opinions, letters, and posters were excluded. The AMSTAR-2 tool was used to determine the quality and overall confidence of the included studies. Results: The preliminary search yielded a total of 419 articles, discarding those that did not meet the selection criteria, leaving only 14 articles. All studies reported that PD was associated with obesity, with an OR and RR ranging from 1.1 to 1.46 and 1.64 to 2.21, respectively. Conclusions: Based on the results and conclusions of the SR with a high overall confidence level, PD is associated with obesity.

Association between lipid metabolism and periodontitis in obese patients: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

To investigate the association between clinical periodontal parameters of periodontitis, serum lipid metabolism markers and adipokines' levels in patients with obesity and periodontitis.

METHODS

A total of 112 patients admitted to Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University were included in this study. They were divided into normal body weight group (18.5 < body mass index, BMI < 25, n = 36), overweight group (25 ≤ BMI < 30, n = 38), and obesity group (BMI ≥ 30, n = 38) accordingly. The diagnosis of periodontitis was based on the newest international classification of periodontitis. Full-mouth clinical periodontal measurements included: plaque index, periodontal pocket depth, clinical attachment level, and bleeding on probing. Gingival crevicular fluid samples were analyzed for: Interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, Interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein. Serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and glycosylated hemoglobin levels were measured. Visfatin, leptin, resistin, and adiponectin levels in serum were also measured.

RESULTS

The ratio of participants without periodontitis was significantly highest in normal weight group, and the proportion of severe periodontitis (stage III and IV) was highest in obesity group. The periodontal pocket depth, clinical attachment level, and the inflammatory cytokines in gingival crevicular fluid in obesity group and overweight group were higher than those in normal body weight group. The BMI and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were significantly positive correlated with periodontal pocket depth and clinical attachment level. Using a Multivariate logistic regression model, periodontitis correlates to BMI, WHR, serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, and adipokines such as visfatin, leptin, and resistin.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity is positively correlated with the aggravation of periodontitis. Obesity may aggravate the damage to periodontal tissue by regulating the secretion level of adipokines.

Effect of being overweight and obese on periodontal treatment costs

BACKGROUND

Obesity can increase a person's risk of developing periodontal disease, and patients with obesity have greater health care costs. However, the effect of obesity on periodontal treatment costs has not been examined.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used data from the electronic dental records of adult patients examined from July 1, 2010, through July 31, 2019 at a US dental school. Primary exposure was body mass index, which was categorized as obese, overweight, or normal. Periodontal disease was categorized using clinical probing measures. Fee schedules and procedure codes were used to compute the primary outcome, which was total periodontal treatment costs. A generalized linear model with gamma distribution was used to examine the relationship between body mass index and periodontal costs after controlling for initial periodontal disease severity and other confounding variables. Parameter coefficients and mean ratios with 95% CIs were estimated.

RESULTS

The study sample included 3,443 adults, of whom 39% were normal weight, 37% were overweight, and 24% were obese. Mean (SD) total periodontal treatment costs for patients who were obese were considerably higher ($420 [$719]) than those for patients who were overweight ($402 [$761]) and patients who were normal weight ($268 [$601]). After controlling for covariates and disease severity, patients who were obese had 27% higher periodontal treatment costs than patients who were normal weight. The additional periodontal treatment costs attributable to obesity were greater than those attributable to either diabetes or smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

The study results suggest that among patients at a dental school, those who were obese incurred substantially higher periodontal treatment costs than patients who were normal weight, independent of initial periodontal disease severity.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The study findings have important implications for clinical guidelines and dental benefit design and coverage policies.

Tooth loss and the risk of cognitive decline and dementia: A meta-analysis of cohort studies

Introduction

Epidemiological studies have shown that tooth loss may be associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. However, some results do not show a significant association. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate this association.

Methods

Relevant cohort studies were searched in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science (up to May 2022), and the reference lists of retrieved articles. The pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals were computed using a random-effects model (CI). Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I ² statistic. Publication bias was evaluated using the Begg's and Egger's tests.

Results

Eighteen cohort studies met the inclusion criteria. Original studies with 356,297 participants with an average follow-up of 8.6 years (ranging from 2 to 20 years) were included in this study. The pooled RRs of tooth loss on dementia and cognitive decline were 1.15 (95% CI: 1.10-1.20; P < 0.01, I ² = 67.4%) and 1.20 (95% CI: 1.14-1.26; P = 0.04, I ² = 42.3%), respectively. The results of the subgroup analysis showed an increased association between tooth loss and Alzheimer's disease (AD) (RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02-1.23) and vascular dementia (VaD) (RR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.06-1.47). The results of the subgroup analysis also showed that pooled RRs varied by geographic location, sex, use of dentures, number of teeth or edentulous status, dental assessment, and follow-up duration. None of the Begg's and Egger's tests or funnel plots showed evidence of publication bias.

Discussion

Tooth loss is associated with a significantly increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia, suggesting that adequate natural teeth are important for cognitive function in older adults. The likely mechanisms mostly suggested include nutrition, inflammation, and neural feedback, especially deficiency of several nutrients like vitamin D.

Systemic Diseases and Biological Dental Implant Complications: A Narrative Review

The relationship between periodontitis and such systemic disorders as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity has been extensively investigated. There is less scientific evidence available, however, regarding the influence of systemic diseases on the risk of late failure of dental implant rehabilitation due to peri-implantitis. The aim of the present study was to review the literature on the role of several common systemic disorders (diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and osteoporosis) in the onset of peri-implantitis. A database search initially yielded 2787 studies of potential interest published up to 1 March 2022 (993 in PubMed; 908 in Web of Science; and 886 in Scopus). After removing 1190 duplicate articles and checking the titles, abstracts and full texts for relevance, 70 articles were selected for the present analysis. Only cohort, case-control studies and clinical case series were considered. Most of the literature concludes for no association between diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension or osteoporosis and the risk of peri-implantitis. On the other hand, almost all the studies that investigated obesity as a risk factor for implant rehabilitation found a positive association between the two. Further longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the effects of systemic diseases on rehabilitation with dental implants.

Dietary vitamin D and calcium and periodontitis: A population-based study

Aim

This study aimed to explore the relationship between dietary vitamin D and calcium intake and periodontitis among adults and whether it differs from males to females.

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis of a population-based cohort study with adults aged 20 to 60 from Southern Brazil. Intake of vitamin D and calcium were gathered in 2012 using two 24h-dietary recalls. Clinical examination assessed the clinical attachment level and bleeding on probing. Confounders included sex, age, family income, smoking, and obesity. The controlled direct effect of vitamin D and calcium on periodontitis was examined using marginal structural modeling. Analyses were also stratified by sex.

Results

Of the 1,066 investigated adults (mean age 35 ± 11.7 years; 49% females), 12.3% (95%CI 10.2;14.7) had periodontitis. Calcium intake had a direct protective effect on periodontitis (risk ratio (RR) 0.61; 95%CI 0.45;0.83), whereas no association between vitamin D and periodontitis was observed (RR 1.13; 95%CI 0.82;1.56). Stratified analyses revealed a null association between both vitamin D and calcium intake and periodontitis among men, but a protective association between calcium and intake and periodontitis among women (RR 0.56; 95%CI 0.38;0.79), while vitamin D remained without any association (RR 1.07; 95%CI 0.72;1.61).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest a protective association between dietary calcium intake and periodontitis among women.

Is Obesity a Risk Factor for Periodontal Disease in Adults? A Systematic Review

There is inconclusive evidence about the link between the severity and prevalence of periodontitis in obese adults. Therefore, this systematic review aims to explore the possibility of significant evidence on the association between obesity and periodontitis and to determine the necessity to consider obesity as a risk factor for periodontitis. We followed the PRISMA protocol, and studies that met the eligibility criteria were included in this review. The risk of bias in individual studies was also evaluated. This review included 15 observational studies (9 cross-sectional studies, 2 case-control, and 4 cohort studies). The total study subjects from these studies were 6603 (males = 3432; females = 3171). Most studies showed a significant association between obesity and periodontitis. Among these studies, a few showed obese females to be at a higher risk, and one study found no association between obesity and periodontal disease at all. Based on the evidence obtained from this review, the body mass index (BMI) should be routinely assessed in patients to assess the risk for periodontal disease and to offer personalized management of periodontitis. Based on the findings of this review, we recommend the need to initiate awareness among clinicians and implement dental hygiene care prevention measures for obese patients.

Obesity, Bone Loss, and Periodontitis: The Interlink

Obesity and periodontitis are both common health concerns that have given rise to considerable economic and societal burden worldwide. There are established negative relationships between bone metabolism and obesity, obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM), and DM and periodontitis, to name a few, with osteoporosis being considered a long-term complication of obesity. In the oral cavity, bone metabolic disorders primarily display as increased risks for periodontitis and alveolar bone loss. Obesity-driven alveolar bone loss and mandibular osteoporosis have been observed in animal models without inoculation of periodontopathogens. Clinical reports have also indicated a possible association between obesity and periodontitis. This review systematically summarizes the clinical periodontium changes, including alveolar bone loss in obese individuals. Relevant laboratory-based reports focusing on biological interlinks in obesity-associated bone remodeling via processes like hyperinflammation, immune dysregulation, and microbial dysbiosis, were reviewed. We also discuss the potential mechanism underlying obesity-enhanced alveolar bone loss from both the systemic and periodontal perspectives, focusing on delineating the practical considerations for managing periodontal disease in obese patients.

Association between obesity and chronic periodontitis: A nationwide population-based cohort study in Taiwan

Previous studies have suggested that obesity might be associated with chronic periodontitis (CP); however, no clear conclusions have been reached so far. In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to investigate the association between obesity and CP by using a large population-based dataset in Taiwan.A population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2010 (LHID2010) derived from the National Health Insurance Research database in Taiwan, from 2000 to 2013. Obesity and non-obesity groups were matched with sex, age, urbanization level, socioeconomic status, and the related comorbidities by using the propensity score method at a 1:2 ratio.An obese cohort (n = 4140) and a non-obese cohort (n = 8280) were included in this study, with an average age of 41.7 ± 13.8 years and 42.0 ± 14.0 years, respectively. The risk of CP for the patients with obesity was 1.12-fold compared with those without obesity (hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.25). In the subgroup analysis according to age and sex, the hazard ratio of CP were 1.98 (95% confidence interval, 1.22-3.22) in the subgroup of age equal to or older than 65 years. The risk of CP showed no difference between obesity and non-obesity groups in both sex.This population-based cohort study demonstrated that obesity was associated with the development of CP in Taiwan.

Associations between metabolic biomarkers and localized stage II/III periodontitis in young adults: The CHIEF Oral Health study

AIM

To investigate the associations between metabolic risk factors and periodontitis in young adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 1123 participants, aged 19-40 years, in Taiwan. Metabolic syndrome components were defined by the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Localized periodontitis was graded to healthy (n = 828) and stage II/III (n = 295) according to the 2017 criteria of the World Workshop. Multiple logistic regression analysis with adjustment for sex, age, betel nut consumption, and smoking were used to determine the associations.

RESULTS

Greater waist circumference, serum triglycerides, and serum uric acid were associated with higher localized stage II/III periodontitis risk [odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04 (1.02-1.05), 1.004 (1.002-1.006), and 1.10 (1.00-1.21), respectively]. There were no associations for total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and blood pressure. There was a non-linear association between fasting glucose and localized stage II/III periodontitis, where the turning point was 105 mg/dl [OR: 0.97 (0.95-0.99) and 1.06 (1.00-1.13) when the levels were <105 and ≥105 mg/dl, respectively].

CONCLUSIONS

The risks of localized stage II/III periodontitis vary with metabolic components, in which waist circumference, serum triglycerides, and serum uric acid are the risk factors, whereas plasma glucose shows a non-linear relationship in young adults.

Impact of bariatric surgery on periodontal status in an obese cohort at one year of follow-up

The effect of weight loss on the periodontal condition remains unclear. The present prospective study thus aimed to evaluate the effect of weight loss on the periodontal status of 57 obese patients (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) with ages ranging from 18 to 60 years, at 12 months following bariatric surgery. Demographic, biological and behavioral variables were analyzed. All participants underwent a periodontal examination, including plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), pocket depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL). Anthropometric measurements, such as weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. Fisher's exact test, ANOVA, Bonferroni, Spearman's rank correlation and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for the statistical analysis (P<0.05). Prior to surgery, 49% of patients were classified as having obesity class I, 33% as obesity class II and 18% as obesity class III. Variables, such as BMI and PD exhibited statistically significant differences among the obesity class I, II and III groups (P<0.05). As regards periodontal diagnosis, 37% of patients were classified as having gingivitis, 46% as having periodontitis stages I-II, and 17% as having periodontitis stages III-IV. BMI, PI, BOP and PD exhibited statistically significant differences following bariatric surgery (P<0.0001). No statistically significant differences were observed in the CAL (P>0.05). Thus, the findings of the present study suggest that weight loss was associated with decreased periodontal inflammation and an improved plaque control following bariatric surgery. CAL remained unaltered during the study period.

Association between clinical measures of gingival inflammation and obesity in adults: systematic review and meta-analyses

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to systematically review the literature about the association between clinical measures of gingival inflammation and obesity in adults.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Searches for studies were performed in five databases (Medline-PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase) to compile studies of any design that evaluated the association between clinical measures of gingival inflammation and obesity in adults. Selection of studies, data extraction and risk of bias analysis were performed independently by two reviewers, and a third researcher was involved to resolve disagreements. Meta-analyses were performed for measures of gingival inflammation as compared to body mass index (BMI). Independent analyses were performed for studies involving periodontitis, gingivitis, and population-based/studies that did not provide a periodontal diagnosis. Standard mean deviation (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were estimated.

RESULTS

Ninety studies were included (cross-sectional/clinical trials [n=82], case-control [n=3], cohorts [n=5]). Most of the studies demonstrated no significant difference in the measures of gingival inflammation regardless of the comparison performed. However, meta-analysis showed that among individuals with periodontitis, significantly higher levels of gingival inflammation are observed in those with obesity (n of individuals=240) when compared to those who were not obese (n of individuals=574) (SMD:0.26; 95%CI:0.07-0.44). When considering population-based/those studies that did not provide periodontal diagnosis, significantly higher measures of gingival inflammation were observed in the groups with higher BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Within the limitations of the present study, it was concluded that higher measures of gingival inflammation may be expected for those with higher BMI.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Clinicians must be aware that higher measures of gingival inflammation may be expected for individuals with higher BMI. However, there is a necessity for further longitudinal studies regarding the association between obesity and gingival inflammation.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of oxidative stress: We should treat it that way

Periodontitis is a highly prevalent disease. As it progresses, it causes serious morbidity in the form of periodontal abscesses and tooth loss and, in the latter stages, pain. It is also now known that periodontitis is strongly associated with several nonoral diseases. Thus, patients with periodontitis are at greater risk for the development and/or exacerbation of diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cardiovascular diseases, among other conditions. Although it is without question that specific groups of oral bacteria which populate dental plaque play a causative role in the development of periodontitis, it is now thought that once this disease has been triggered, other factors play an equal, and possibly more important, role in its progression, particularly in severe cases or in cases that prove difficult to treat. In this regard, we allude to the host response, specifically the notion that the host, once infected with oral periodontal pathogenic bacteria, will mount a defense response mediated largely through the innate immune system. The most abundant cell type of the innate immune system - polymorphonuclear neutrophils - can, when protecting the host from microbial invasion, mount a response that includes upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases, and reactive oxygen species, all of which then contribute to the tissue damage and loss of teeth commonly associated with periodontitis. Of the mechanisms referred to here, we suggest that upregulation of reactive oxygen species might play one of the most important roles in the establishment and progression of periodontitis (as well as in other diseases of inflammation) through the development of oxidative stress. In this overview, we discuss both innate and epigenetic factors (eg, diabetes, smoking) that lead to the development of oxidative stress. This oxidative stress then provides an environment conducive to the destructive processes observed in periodontitis. Therefore, we shall describe some of the fundamental characteristics of oxidative stress and its effects on the periodontium, discuss the diseases and other factors that cause oxidative stress, and, finally, review potentially novel therapeutic approaches for the management (and possibly even the reversal) of periodontitis, which rely on the use of therapies, such as resveratrol and other antioxidants, that provide increased antioxidant activity in the host.

Can Periodontal Disease Be Considered Linked to Obesity and Lipoinflammation? Mechanisms Involved in the Pathogenesis Occurrence

Obesity is a systemic disease, associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders, type 2 diabetes, cancer, asthma, and osteoarthritis. Overweight and obesity have been suggested to be associated with periodontitis as published in studies and narrative summaries. Obesity and periodontal diseases are very prevalent in the world, and both can lead to severe chronic health conditions and impair people’s life quality. Knowledge of how immune mechanisms and inflammatory responses are regulated is critical for understanding the pathogenesis of complex diseases, such as periodontitis. In conditions of overweight, it has been demonstrated that approximately 70–80% of individuals present an adipose tissue turnover that is both structurally and functionally causing of the systemic inflammatory reaction. The objective of this review is to explore the influence of lipoinflammation. The effects of lipoinflammation and obesity on development of periodontal disease are reported together with the exploration of the mechanisms of interaction between these two diseases.

The association of periodontal diseases with metabolic syndrome and obesity

Periodontitis is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease associated with dysbiotic plaque biofilms and characterized by progressive destruction of the tooth-supporting apparatus. Globally, it is estimated that 740 million people are affected by its severe form. Periodontitis has been suggested to be linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome. Obesity, defined as excessive fat accumulation, is a complex multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease, with a high and increasing prevalence. Metabolic syndrome is defined as a cluster of obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and dysglycemia. Obesity, metabolic syndrome and periodontitis are among the most common non-communicable diseases and a large body of evidence from epidemiologic studies supports the association between these conditions. Extensive research has established plausible mechanisms to explain how these conditions can negatively impact each other, pointing to a bidirectional adverse relationship. At present there is only limited evidence available from a few intervention studies. Nevertheless, the global burden of periodontitis combined with the obesity epidemic has important clinical and public health implications for the dental team. In accordance with the common risk factor approach for tackling non-communicable diseases, it has been proposed that oral healthcare professionals have an important role in the promotion of periodontal health and general well-being through facilitation of healthy lifestyle behaviours.

Oral Health Birth Cohort Studies: Achievements, Challenges, and Potential

Birth cohorts are those among observational studies that provide understanding of the natural history and causality of diseases since early in life. Discussions during an International Association for Dental Research symposium in London, United Kingdom, in 2018, followed by a workshop in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2019, concluded that there are few birth cohort studies that consider oral health and that a broader discussion on similarities and differences among those studies would be valuable. This article aims to 1) bring together available long-term data of oral health birth cohort studies from the low, middle, and high-income countries worldwide and 2) describe similarities and differences among these studies. This work comprises 15 studies from all 5 continents. The most studied dental conditions and exposures are identified; findings are summarized; and methodological differences and similarities among studies are presented. Methodological strengths and weaknesses are also highlighted. Findings are summarized in 1) the negative impact of detrimental socioeconomic status on oral health changes over time, 2) the role of unfavorable patterns of dental visiting on oral health, 3) associations between general and oral health, 4) nutritional and dietary effects on oral health, and 5) intergenerational influences on oral health. Dental caries and dental visiting patterns have been recorded in all studies. Sources of fluoride exposure have been documented in most of the more recent studies. Despite some methodological differences in the way that the exposures and outcomes were measured, some findings are consistent. Predictive models have been used with caries risk tools, periodontitis occurrence, and permanent dentition orthodontic treatment need. The next steps of the group's work are as follows: 1) establishing a consortium of oral health birth cohort studies, 2) conducting a scoping review, 3) exploring opportunities for pooled data analyses to answer pressing research questions, and 4) promoting and enabling the development of the next generation of oral health researchers.

Shifts in the bacterial community of saliva give insights on the relationship between obesity and oral microbiota in adolescents

The current study aimed at the determination of the impact of obesity on the salivary microbiome in adolescents. Sixty subjects ranging 14-17 years old were enrolled (obese: n = 30-50% females, and normal weight: n = 30-50% females). Stimulated saliva was collected for denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) band patterns and massive 16S rRNA gene sequencing using the Ion Torrent platform. Overall, data analysis revealed that male subjects harbored a higher diverse salivary microbiome, defined by a significant higher richness (32.48 versus 26.74) and diversity (3.36 versus 3.20), higher Simpson values (0.96 versus 0.95) and distinct bacterial community structure considering either sex or condition (p < 0.05). Bacterial community fingerprinting analysis in human saliva showed a positive correlation with increased body mass index (BMI) in adolescents. Veillonella, Haemophilus and Prevotella occurrence was found to be affected by BMI, whereas Neisseria and Rothia occurrence was significantly impacted by sex in obese subjects. Our findings suggest that male and female adolescents may harbor a naturally distinct salivary microbiota and that obesity may specifically have an impact on their oral bacterial community. The potential dysbiotic oral microbiome in obese adolescents raises new insights on the etiology and prevention of future conditions in these populations.

Periodontal complications with obesity

The purpose of this paper was to identify and summarize current evidence describing periodontal complications associated with obesity. Electronic searches supplemented with manual searches were carried out to identify relevant systematic reviews. Identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion of studies were performed independently by two reviewers. A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) was used to assess the quality and risk of bias of the included reviews. From 430 titles and abstracts screened, 14 systematic reviews were considered as eligible for inclusion in this meta-review. Eight reviews reported on cross-sectional studies investigating the association of obesity and periodontal diseases, 4 included longitudinal studies, 5 addressed response to periodontal therapy, 5 reported on studies investigating biomarkers, and only 2 were related to pediatric population samples. Systematic review summaries in the various study design domains (cross-sectional, longitudinal and experimental) report that obese individuals are more likely to have periodontal diseases, with more severe periodontal conditions, than nonobese individuals, with cross-sectional evidence congruent with longitudinal studies showing that obesity or weight gain increases the risk of periodontitis onset and progression. Published research on the effect of obesity on responses to periodontal therapy, or systemic or local biomarkers of inflammation, is variable and therefore inconclusive based on the evidence currently available, which suggests that overweight/obesity contributes to periodontal complications independently of other risk factors, such as age, gender, smoking, or ethnicity. This evidence supports the need for risk assessments for individual patients to facilitate personalized approaches in order to prevent and treat periodontal diseases.

Metabolic syndrome and periodontitis: A structural equation modeling approach

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and periodontitis among young adults, and also to compare results using observed and latent variables for MetS and periodontitis.

METHODS

Data from the 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort, Brazil, were used. Metabolic syndrome at the age of 23 years was measured using clinical and biochemical analysis and set as the main exposure. Periodontitis at the age of 31 years was clinically measured and set as the outcome. Confounding variables included sex and maternal education, assessed at birth, family income at 23 years, and smoking status at the age of 23 and 30 years. Factor analyses (exploratory and confirmatory) were performed to define latent variables for MetS and periodontitis. In addition, both conditions were also defined as categorical observed variables. The association between MetS and periodontitis was tested in structural equation models.

RESULTS

Two latent periodontal variables were identified: "initial" and "advanced" periodontitis, while one latent variable was identified for MetS. Metabolic syndrome is positively associated with "advanced" (coefficient 0.11; P value < 0.01), but not with "initial" (coefficient -0.01; P value = 0.79) periodontitis. When MetS and periodontitis were set as observed variables in the structural equation models, no association was found irrespective of the criteria used for periodontitis classification.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a positive association between metabolic syndrome and "advanced" periodontitis, when the multiple dimensions of both diseases were accounted in latent variables. Nevertheless, when MetS and periodontitis were treated as observed variables, no association was detected irrespective of the criteria used for periodontitis classification.

Comparison of clinical and radiographic peri-implant parameters among obese and non-obese patients: A 5-year study

BACKGROUND

It is postulated that peri-implant parameters are worse in obese individuals as compared to nonobese.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present 5-year longitudinal study was to analyze and compare the changes in clinical and radiographic peri-implant parameters among obese and non-obese patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty patients with body mass index ≥ 27.5 kg/m² and 18 non-obese controls were included. All patients were indicated for single tooth maxillary or mandibular molar replacement with the adjacent teeth intact. Peri-implant clinical (plaque index [PI], bleeding on probing [BOP], probing depth [PD]) and radiographic (marginal bone loss [MBL]) parameters were measured at 12, 24, and 60 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

All peri-implant parameters showed statistically significant difference between obese and non-obese individuals. Obese group recorded significant higher BOP, PD, and MBL at different observation times. Probing depth and MBL increased significantly with advance of time in both groups. After 60 months of follow-up period, greater PI and BOP was observed in obese patients (P < 0.01). At 60 months follow-up period, obese patients showed significant increased PD (3.69 mm) as compared to non-obese individuals (2.46 mm). Marginal bone loss in non-obese individuals varied from 0.30 mm after 12 months, reaching 0.55 mm after 60 months of follow-up period, while in obese patients MBL values went from 0.36 mm after 12 months to 0.91 mm at 60 months follow-up (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with obesity are at risk of increased localized peri-implant soft and hard tissue inflammation. It is recommended that clinicians should educate obese patients about risk of increased peri-implant tissue inflammation and susceptibility to bone loss and stipulate stringent oral hygiene care for ideal peri-implant health.