Dental & Oral Health

Aggressive periodontitis (AgP) are infectious diseases in young subjects harboring an immuno-predisposition to develop the pathology. It is characterized by rapid and severe periodontal destruction in otherwise healthy individuals. Two forms of AgP, localized AgP (LAgP) and generalized AgP (GAgP) have been distinguished based on the number of teeth affected and the distribution of the lesions within the dentition. The presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (previously named Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans) has been correlated with AgP, including LAgP in particular. However, conflicting results for the association between colonization with A. actinomycetemcomitans and LAgP compared to GAgP have been reported for different populations worldwide. Other micro-organisms can be also implicated in the etiology of these entities. In this presentation, we’ll be discussing the clinical features in a Moroccan population and the microbiological aspect of this disease commonly current in Morocco. This discussion will be based on the results of research done so far in Morocco regarding aggressive periodontitis and presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans. Regarding the destructive potential of these diseases, patients lose their teeth in relatively early age and they may also present severe teeth migration; thus, dental and esthetic management is often difficult and costs a lot. Possible treatment modalities will be discussed regarding the bacterial etiology; some inter disciplinary management approaches will be presented. Finally, we will emphasize the role of the dentist on early screening and management of this periodontal destructive disease in young subjects knowing that a familial aspect of aggressive periodontitis has been largely highlighted by many studies.