title: Periodontal conditions in patients with Marfan syndrome - a multicenter case control study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a disorder of the connective tissues. Alterations of the elastic fibers may manifest in different tissues especially in the skeletal, cardiovascular and ocular system. Oral manifestations like orthodontic or skeletal anomalies and fragility of the temporomandibular joint have been well described by various authors. However, no data are available regarding a possible periodontal involvement of MFS. Hence, the aim of the present study was to investigate for the first time if MFS may increase the susceptibility to periodontitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive periodontal examination including documentation of probing pocket depth, gingival recession, clinical attachment level, and bleeding on probing was conducted in all patients. In addition, dental conditions were assessed by determining the Index for Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) and a self-administered questionnaire was filled out by patients. For statistical analysis, the unpaired t-Test was applied (level of significance: p < 0.05). Both groups were matched concerning well known periodontal risk factors like age, gender and smoking habits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  82 participants, 51 patients with MFS (30 female and 21 male, mean age: 40.20 ± 15.35 years) and 31 sound controls (17 female and 14 male, mean age: 40.29 ± 13.94 years), were examined. All assessed periodontal and dental parameters were not significantly different between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on our data, patients with MFS did not reveal a higher prevalence of periodontitis compared to the control group. However, Marfan patients showed a tendency to more inflammation signs, which can be explained by the crowded teeth. Therefore, a regular professional cleaning of the teeth is recommendable (i.e., 6 months intervals) in order to reduce the bacterial biofilm in the oral cavity and thus resulting in a decreased risk of systemic diseases, specifically endocarditis.
authors.forename: Ingmar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Staufenbiel
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hauschild
authors.forename: Bärbel
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kahl-Nieke
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vahle-Hinz
authors.forename: Yskert
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: von Kodolitsch
authors.forename: Maike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berner
authors.forename: Oskar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bauss
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Geurtsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany. rahman.alexander@mh-hannover.de.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rahman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D017823:Furcation Defects / Q000145:classification; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000145:classification; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008382:Marfan Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000145:classification; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000145:classification; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking; D014086:Tooth Mobility / Q000145:classification