Periodontal health and systemic disorders.

Recent studies in periodontal medicine suggest a mild to moderate association between human periodontal disease and certain systemic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, pneumonia, heart disease and preterm birth. The latest evidence, presented at a symposium entitled Periodontal Health and Systemic Disorders, sponsored by the University of Western Ontario School of Dentistry, showed that indeed such an association is likely. New data suggest that this association is not indicated by traditional clinical signs of periodontal disease but rather by a cluster of host immune and inflammatory mediators. The coming era of periodontal medicine based upon molecular criteria will affect the future of periodontal diagnosis, treatment and professional practice.