PERIODONTITIS: AN INEVITABLE DESTRUCTION

Luay Thanoon Younis*, Tara Bai Taiyeb Ali, Mohamed Ibrahim Abu Hassan

ABSTRACT

All over the world, periodontal diseases are still prevalent and negatively affecting the quality of life of young and adult population. Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory polymicrobial disease characterized by episodic progressive destruction of gingivae, periodontal ligament and bone. The inflamed cells of the periodontal structure undergo senescence (irreversible cell cycle arrest), chromatin condensation, telomere shortening followed by apoptosis of the cells of periodontium (alveolar bone periodontal ligament and overlying gingiva). The consequences of apoptosis are manifested by gingival recession, bone loss and exposure of tooth root. In severe case, tooth loss is inevitable. In this mini-review, we discuss briefly the role of apoptosis in the destruction of tooth periodontal structure.

Keywords: Periodontitis; apoptosis, senescence; fibroblast; telomere.