Background

Excessive occlusal forces and occlusal trauma have been implicated as co-destructive factors for periodontitis in animal models. The objective of this study was to assess the association between occlusal trauma and periodontitis.

Methods

A total of 167 cases and 205 controls were included for analysis. Occlusal trauma was the exposures of interest and was registered for cases and controls. Additional clinical co-variables were registered as well for further analysis. The association of the exposure and periodontitis was determined by the odds ratio and logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounders.

Results

Amalgam restorations, pathogenic occlusion and occlusal trauma were more frequent in cases as compared to controls (P ≤ 0.05). The distribution of pathogenic occlusion and occlusal trauma was similar according to the stage and class of periodontitis. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association for cigarette smoking, systemic conditions, amalgam restorations, pathogenic occlusion, and occlusal trauma with periodontitis (P ≤ 0.05). After adjusting for confounding variables in the model, amalgam restorations and occlusal trauma remained strongly associated with periodontitis (P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions

Occlusal trauma is strongly associated with periodontitis. Additional long-term prospective studies are necessary to further understand the impact of the occlusal condition and periodontitis.