Hormonal influence on the physiology and pathology of the dental gingival unit: the preliminary results of a pilot study.

AIM: The effects of steroid hormones on the periodontium are most prominent at certain stages of a woman's life especially during the menstrual cycle when there is an increase in the secretion of sex hormones or a significant fluctuation in their concentration. The deterioration of existing periodontal conditions can be attributed to a fluctuation in the steroid hormones in circulation. By contributing to our understanding of periodontal changes caused by variation in hormone concentrations, this study aims to encourage the implementation in dental practice of the most suitable forms of treatment for hormone-related pathologies. METHODS: Tartar was removed from the teeth of five young women and four biopsies and blood tests were carried out on them at regular intervals. The information gathered was used to monitor periodontal changes arising from variation in hormone concentrations. RESULTS: The histological analysis of the test samples under an optical microscope did not reveal signs of inflammation, hyperaemia or oedema at any stage of the menstrual cycle in the patients examined. The extent of gingival Keratinization was found to be comparable to that present in the follicular phase. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of ovulation could not be shown in the pilot study. The histological analysis and the analysis of hormone concentrations show primarily the absence of surges in estradiol and LH which normally accompany ovulation; the levels recorded are similar to those found in the follicular phase.