A longitudinal study of alveolar bone loss around maxillary central incisors in patients with leprosy in Malaysia

Leprosy as a clinical correlation of anatomy

“…odontal diseases are uncontrolled, the rate of alveolar bone loss is directly proportional to the severity of the disease as measured by several clinical indices which record the level of plaque accumulations, degree of gingival inflammation, extent of tooth mobility, and pocketing of the gingival sulcus (Rateitschak et al, 1989). This spectrum of severity of the periodontal diseases has been observed by us in patients with leprosy and irrespective of the initial accelerated level of bone loss, the progression of bone loss was virtually arrested following treatment of leprosy (Subramaniam et al, 1983a(Subramaniam et al, , 1994. T h e healthy periodontium, with minimal plaque and pink, stippled gingiva (Fig.…”

“…Figure 8B shows one such case which has only 64% bone support (or 36% loss). It is interesting to note that following initiation and continuity of treatment the rate of alveolar bone resorption is arrested despite the presence of local factors like plaque and gingival inflammation, which in normal adults would accelerate alveolar bone loss, a paradox (Subramaniam et al, 1994).…”

Evaluation of Biochemical Markers for Bone Changes in Leprosy Patients

“…Radiologic studies are useful in finding bone resorption in leprosy [8]. Bone resorption involving face alveolar bones and limbs in leprosy patients can be determined by radiological studies [9]. Facial deformities include nasal deformities, septal perforation along with eye deformities and facial nerve palsy has been analyzed in clinical study [10].…”