title: Influence of moderate to severe chronic periodontitis on dental pulp.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The relationship between periodontal disease and dental pulp changes is controversial and has been debated for many years. This human study was performed to evaluate the possible effects of moderate to advanced periodontal disease on the different aspect of dental pulp structure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty hopeless permanent teeth were extracted from systemically healthy adults because of moderate to advanced chronic periodontitis, with a bone loss of >6 mm and a mobility of grade 2 or 3. Upon extraction, the apical 2 to 3 mm of the roots were immediately sectioned. Four to five sections were mounted on each slide, and every third slide was stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The specimens were histologically processed and examined by an oral pathologist.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Non-inflamed pulp, with partial or complete necrosis in some sections and several non-necrotic sections, was found in only 6.3% of teeth. Most teeth (58.3%) displayed edematous pulps. Slightly fibrotic pulps were seen in 52.1% of sections. Odontoblastic integrity was seen in 31.3% of teeth. Most teeth (77.1%) displayed no pulp stones. In 43.8% of teeth, the pulp vessels displayed dilatation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Moderate to advanced periodontal disease can affect the dental pulp. Careful consideration of diagnostic and treatment planing in patients with endodontic-periodontal involvement is therefore recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Dental Research Center, Dental School, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fatemi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Disfani
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zare
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moeintaghavi
authors.forename: Saadat A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Boostani
keywords: Periodontal disease; calcification; dental pulp; fibrosis