Introduction: Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), encoded by MMP-8 gene (chromosomal location, 11q22.3), is a proteolytic enzyme that is involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. Polymorphism of the encoding MMP-8 gene can affect the risk of the disease. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between +17 C/G polymorphism in MMP-8 and periodontitis in an Indonesian sample population. Material and methods: Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of the +17 C/G polymorphism in MMP-8 was conducted in stored genomic DNA samples from 100 subjects with periodontitis and 100 healthy controls. Patients were examined in a previous study by a periodontics and diagnosed as periodontitis based on anamnesis and clinical examination (periodontal pocket depth ≥ 4 mm and the presence of clinical attachment loss. Results: The frequencies of the genotypes or alleles in the periodontitis and control groups were not significantly different (genotype, p = 0.283; alleles, p = 0.11). Any remaining trend toward higher frequencies of the polymorphic genotypes or alleles in the periodontitis group was explained by the adjustment for age. Conclusions: The results showed no significant association between the +17 C/G polymorphism in MMP-8 and the risk of periodontitis in the Indonesian population. No change in the significance is expected even with a considerably larger sample.