title: The prevalence of periodontal disease in a Romano-British population c. 200-400 AD.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of moderate to severe periodontitis in an ancient British cohort c. 200-400 AD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study to assess periodontal and other oral disease parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Natural History Museum, London.
  
  
  METHODS
  303 skulls from a Romano-British burial site in Poundbury, Dorset were examined for evidence of dental disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome measure was presence of moderate to severe periodontitis. Secondary outcomes included: amount of horizontal bone loss; prevalence of ante-mortem tooth loss; and presence of other dental pathologies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of moderate to severe periodontitis was just greater than 5%. The prevalence rate remained nearly constant between ages 20 to 60, after which it rose to around 10%. The number of affected teeth increased with age. Horizontal bone loss was generally minor. Caries was seen in around 50% of the cohort, and evidence of pulpal and apical pathology was seen in around 25%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of moderate to severe periodontitis was markedly decreased when compared to the prevalence in modern populations, underlining the potential importance of risk factors such as smoking and diabetes in determining susceptibility to progressive periodontitis in modern populations.
authors.affiliation: 1] [2] Barts &The London School of Medicine &Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Raitapuro-Murray
authors.affiliation: Natural History Museum, London.
authors.forename: T I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Molleson
authors.affiliation: 1] Barts &The London School of Medicine &Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London [2] Kings College London Dental Institute, Floor 21 Tower Wing, Guys Hospital. London, SE1 9RT.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Hughes
mesh_terms: D005580:Fossils; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology