Effects of human aging on periodontal tissues

Abstract

Loss of teeth is frequently associated with periodontal disease in older adults. The aim of this review was to present the effects of aging on the periodontal tissues. Aging alone does not lead to critical loss of periodontal attachment in healthy elderly persons. The effects of aging on periodontal tissues are based on molecular changes in the periodontal cells, which intensify bone loss in elderly patients with periodontitis. These effects may be associated with (1) alterations in differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts; (2) an increase in periodontal cell response to the oral microbiota and mechanical stress leading to the secretion of cytokines involved in osseous resorption; and (3) systemic endocrine alterations in the elderly people.

Effect of vitamin E on human periodontal ligament fibroblasts

“…The number of adult patients seeking improvement of dentofacial aesthetics and functionality is increasing (10). These patients may have altered periodontal condition attributed to aging (11). It is prudent to take the periodontal status in consideration and the complex response to orthodontic tooth movement which starts with the periodontal ligament fibroblasts (2).…”

Effects of Human Ageing on Periodontal Tissues

“…The effects of ageing human on periodontal tissues were based on biomolecular changes of the cells of periodontium that exacerbate bone loss in elderly patients with periodontitis 83 . These effects may be associated with: 1) alterations in differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts; 2) an increase in periodontal cell response to the oral microbiota and mechanical stress leading to the secretion of cytokines involved in bone loss; and 3) systemic endocrine alterations in the elderly 83 .…”

“…The age-related changes in the periodontal tissues show that increasing age could potentially be a risk factor for periodontal disease 83 . Some moderate loss of periodontal attachment and alveolar bone is associated with age, but age alone in a healthy adult does not lead to a critical loss of periodontal support.…”

“…This level of increased risk probably is not sufficient, alone, to cause tooth loss. Consequently, periodontal disease may be considered as time-associated, and ageing itself appears to be responsible for some attachment and bone loss, it is of a magnitude that is unlikely to have a clinical significance 83,92 . This fact is influenced by multiple factors that have been found to be associated with the prevalence and incidence of the periodontal disease 88 .…”

“…Some moderate loss of periodontal attachment and alveolar bone is associated with age, but age alone in a healthy adult does not lead to a critical loss of periodontal support. Although moderate loss of alveolar bone and periodontal attachment is common in the elderly, severe periodontitis is not a natural consequence of ageing 3,83 . Clinical attachment level and bone loss are irreversible measures of prior disease experience.…”