Perfil radiográfico e fatores associados da periodontite de indivíduos atendidos em uma clínica-escola do leste mineiro

Abstract

Periodontitis is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease affecting the tooth-supporting tissues, with alveolar bone loss representing its primary radiographic manifestation. Studies indicate that the severity of bone destruction is associated with demographic factors as well as predisposing and perpetuating local elements. Thus, understanding the radiographic profile and associated factors in populations receiving care at teaching institutions becomes essential. This study aimed to evaluate radiographically the characteristics of periodontitis in adult individuals treated at the Periodontics clinic of the Dentistry program at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora – Governador Valadares campus (UFJF-GV). Two previously calibrated examiners evaluated digital periapical radiographs from 52 participants (1,112 teeth/distal sites) regarding periodontitis classification (stage, extent, and grade), bone alterations, and local factors. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed with a 5% significance level. The results indicated that 84.6% of the participants presented the generalized form of the disease, 55.8% were classified as Stage III, and 65.4% as Grade B of progression. Horizontal bone loss (62.7%) and loss of the alveolar crestal lamina dura (46.6%) were the most frequent alterations. There was a significant association between generalized extent and male sex (p=0.004). In the multivariate analysis, the presence of dental calculus stood out as the main local predictor for horizontal bone loss (OR=7.65) and loss of the alveolar crestal lamina dura (OR=2.90), whereas altered tooth positioning was associated with vertical defects (OR=5.99), which were more frequent in the posterior mandibular region (p<0.001). Lower incisors showed a higher likelihood of horizontal bone loss (p<0.001), and furcation involvement was present in 8.5% of the evaluable teeth, prevailing in the posterior mandibular region, where it affected 19.2% of the sites (p<0.001). Female sex acted as a protective factor against horizontal bone loss (OR=0.38). It was concluded that the evaluated population exhibits predominantly advanced periodontal breakdown, in which dental calculus and tooth malposition act as significant local predictors of alveolar bone support loss.