Characteristics of periodontal disease in leprosy

Abstract

Leprosy is an inflammatory, chronic, granulomatous disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Still endemic in some developing countries, the major clinical signs are hypoesthesic skin lesions and enlargement of peripheral nerves. More compromised areas in the buccal cavity more compromises are the hard and soft palate, uvula, lips, tongue and gum. Periodontal disease includes inflammatory condition of chronic characteristics with bacterial origin, which starts affecting gingival tissue leading to the loss of supportive tissue of the dental elements. The present study aims to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of periodontal disease inleprosy cases. In this regard, 100 cases from the Instituto Lauro de Sousa Lima were examined for periodontal probing, level of clinical insertion, bacterial plaque index, presence of bleeding at probing, dental mobility and periapical radiography as a complementary method of examination. Statistical analysis indicate that, similar to the general population, periodontal disease relevant prevalence in adult and elderly cases of Hansen’s disease, as well as in patients who smoked, and that there was no evidence that leprosy could be determinant for the occurrence of periodontal disease.