Gingivitis due to accumulation of plaque was the most characteristic periodontal condition in this sample and was related to professional level, level of education, and previous periodontal maintenance. These results illustrate the importance of establishing periodontal preventive measures for pregnant women, even though their demographic and clinical characteristics do not differ from those of the general population.

The possible connection between chronic oral inflammatory processes, such as apical periodontitis and periodontal disease (PD), and systemic health is one of the most interesting aspects faced by the medical and dental scientific community. Chronic apical periodontitis shares important characteristics with PD: 1) both are chronic infections of the oral cavity, 2) the Gram-negative anaerobic microbiota found in both diseases is comparable, and 3) in both infectious processes increased local levels of inflammatory mediators may have an impact on systemic levels. One of the systemic disorders linked to PD is diabetes mellitus (DM); is therefore plausible to assume that chronic apical periodontitis and endodontic treatment are also associated with DM. The status of knowledge regarding the relationship between DM and endodontics is reviewed. Upon review, we conclude that there are data in the literature that associate DM with a higher prevalence of periapical lesions, greater size of the osteolityc lesions, greater likelihood of asymptomatic infections and worse prognosis for root filled teeth. The results of some studies suggest that periapical disease may contribute to diabetic metabolic dyscontrol. Key words: Apical periodontitis, diabetes mellitus, endodontics, root canal treatment.

It may be concluded that, even at such an early age, tobacco consumption affects the periodontal health. It is necessary to inform young smokers of the risk of tobacco use regarding periodontal health.

The majority of the studies suggested a relationship between osteoporosis and periodontitis. Further well-controlled studies are needed to better elucidate the inter-relationship between systemic and oral bone loss and to clarify whether dentists could usefully give an early warning for osteoporosis risk.

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