Assessing the Severity of Aggressive Periodontitis in Ghana Using Periodontal Parameters

Objective: To ascertain the severity of Aggressive periodontitis (AgP) using periodontal parameters in Ghana. Methodology: The study was a case control design. Fifty participants were clinically and radiographically diagnosed as having Aggressive periodontitis and 32 participants who did not show evidence of the disease or other diseases, served as controls. Participants aged 12-53 years consented to be part of the research work. Results: The mean ages were Localized aggressive periodontitis (LAP): 30.32+9.90, Generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP): 33.44+10.46, and Controls: 23.97+9.93 years (p= 0.001). The ranges of the Periodontal Parameters (PP) analysed for LAP and GAP were Bleeding on probing: 8-72%, Clinical attachment loss: 12-68%, Probing pocket depth: 20-100%, and Missing teeth: 4-52% for all quadrants of the mouth and were significantly different for some individual teeth (P< 0.05). Grade I was the commonest for mobility and furcation involvement (P< 0.05). No significant differences in the Gingival and Plaque indices were observed in all categories (p= 0.58* and p= 0.33*respectively). Conclusion: The severity of AgP was enabled using the various parameters determined in the LAP and GAP patients.