Cross-Sectional Study of Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation Effects on Chronic Periodontitis

• Autores: D. Douglas Miley, M. Nathalia Garcia, Charles Hildebolt, William D. Shannon, Rex A. Couture, Catherine L. Anderson Spearie, Debra A. Dixon, Eric M. Langenwalter, Cheryl Mueller, Roberto Civitelli
• Localización: Journal of periodontology, ISSN 0022-3492, Vol. 80, Nº. 9, 2009, págs. 1433-1439
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Background: A low dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium hastens bone loss and osteoporosis. Because vitamin D metabolites may also alter the inflammatory response and have antimicrobial effects, we studied whether the use of vitamin D and calcium supplements affects periodontal disease status.

    Methods: A cohort of 51 subjects receiving periodontal maintenance therapy was recruited from two dental clinics; 23 were taking vitamin D (≥400 IU/day) and calcium (≥1,000 mg/day) supplementation, and 28 were not taking such supplementation. All subjects had at least two interproximal sites with ≥3 mm clinical attachment loss. Daily calcium and vitamin D intake (from food and supplements) were estimated by nutritional analysis. The following clinical parameters of periodontal disease were recorded for the mandibular posterior teeth: gingival index, probing depth, cemento-enamel junction–gingival margin distance (attachment loss), bleeding on probing, and furcation involvement. Posterior photostimulable-phosphor bitewing radiographs were taken to determine cemento-enamel junction–alveolar crest distances (alveolar crest height loss). Data were analyzed with a repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance.

    Results: Compared to subjects who did not take vitamin D and calcium supplementation, supplement takers had shallower probing depths, fewer bleeding sites, lower gingival index values, fewer furcation involvements, less attachment loss, and less alveolar crest height loss. The repeated-measures analysis indicated that collectively these differences were borderline significant (P = 0.08).

    Conclusions: In these subjects receiving periodontal maintenance therapy, there was a trend for better periodontal health with vitamin D and calcium supplementation. More expanded longitudinal studies are required to determine the potential of this relationship.