Occlusal trauma is associated with periodontitis: A retrospective case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Excessive occlusal forces and occlusal trauma have been implicated as co-destructive factors for periodontitis in animal models. The objective of this study was to assess the association between occlusal trauma and periodontitis. METHODS: A total of 167 cases and 205 controls were included for analysis. Occlusal trauma was the exposures of interest and was registered for cases and controls. Additional clinical co-variables were registered as well for further analysis. The association of the exposure and periodontitis was determined by the odds ratio and logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounders. RESULTS: Amalgam restorations, pathogenic occlusion and occlusal trauma were more frequent in cases as compared to controls (P </= 0.05). The distribution of pathogenic occlusion and occlusal trauma was similar according to the stage and class of periodontitis. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association for cigarette smoking, systemic conditions, amalgam restorations, pathogenic occlusion, and occlusal trauma with periodontitis (P </= 0.05). After adjusting for confounding variables in the model, amalgam restorations and occlusal trauma remained strongly associated with periodontitis (P </= 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Occlusal trauma is strongly associated with periodontitis. Additional long-term prospective studies are necessary to further understand the impact of the occlusal condition and periodontitis.