title: Absence of periodontitis in acromegalic patients.
abstract: Acromegaly is a metabolic disorder caused by increased growth hormone (GH) secretion. Common oral features are prognatism, increased interdental spaces, macroglosia, and dental mobility. However, not much is known about the periodontal status of acromegalics. The periodontal status of 16 acromegalic subjects was investigated and compared with 20 controls (similar socioeconomic profile and age). Periodontal probing, followed by the assessment of gingival overgrowth, tooth loss and mobility, and malocclusion was performed. Acromegalic patients' did not present periodontitis and all of them had complete absence of periodontal pockets, while 50% of the control group presented periodontitis. All acromegalic patients presented dental mobility degree 1, mainly in the anterior inferior teeth. Malocclusion (100%) and diastemas (93.75%) were also present in these patients. It was concluded that acromegalic patients may be less prone to periodontal diseases than control subjects.
authors.affiliation: PPGCSA, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
authors.forename: Danilo Lopes Ferreira
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Renan Magalhães
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Montenegro
authors.forename: Anya Pimentel Gomes Fernandes
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Mônica Fiterman
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Albano
authors.forename: Delane Maria
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Rego