Relationship between Osteoporosis and Periodontitis: Review of the literature

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease characterized by reduction in bone mass and micro architectural changes in the bone, which leads to increased bone fragility and fractures. Since both osteoporosis and periodontal diseases are bone destructive diseases, it has been hypothesized that osteoporosis could be a risk factor for the progression of periodontal disease and vice versa. Good oral health for good general health is gaining paramount importance. At this juncture, we aimed to bring to light the subtle connection between the two debilitating conditions osteoporosis and periodontitis through this review article. Osteoporosis and periodontitis are the diseases that affect a large number of men and women worldwide with incidence increasing with advancing age. Both these diseases present bone loss as a common hallmark. Periodontitis has long been defined as an infection mediated destruction of the alveolar bone and soft tissue attachment to the tooth, responsible for most tooth loss in adult populations. Current evidences including several studies support an association of osteoporosis with the onset and progression of periodontal disease in humans. Systemic loss of bone density in osteoporosis including that of the oral cavity may provide a host system that is increasingly susceptible to infectious destruction of periodontal tissue. Understanding the association between these common diseases and the mechanisms underlying these associations will aid health professionals to provide improved means to prevent, diagnose and treat these very common diseases. The paper reviews the current evidence on the association between periodontal disease and osteoporosis.