Effects of human aging on periodontal tissues

Abstract

Loss of teeth is frequently associated with periodontal disease in older adults. The aim of this review was to present the effects of aging on the periodontal tissues. Aging alone does not lead to critical loss of periodontal attachment in healthy elderly persons. The effects of aging on periodontal tissues are based on molecular changes in the periodontal cells, which intensify bone loss in elderly patients with periodontitis. These effects may be associated with (1) alterations in differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts; (2) an increase in periodontal cell response to the oral microbiota and mechanical stress leading to the secretion of cytokines involved in osseous resorption; and (3) systemic endocrine alterations in the elderly people.