Clinical evaluation of periodontium in pregnant women with risk of preterm birth

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate condition of the periodontium in pregnant women with pathological progress of the pregnancy, clinically and to compare it to periodontium in pregnant women in good health. DESIGN: Over the last years, the studies have described that periodontitis caused by dental plaque, could be the risk factor for preterm birth and low birth weight. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed in 80 pregnant women, 40 with pathologic pregnancy and 40 with normal pregnancy in it. Periodontal Indexes were used to evaluate periodontium. RESULTS: In the searching group gingivitis gravidarum haemorrhagica diffusa and hyperplastica generalisata were dominating. In the control group gingivitis gravidatum simplex and hyperplastica localisata were observed. CONCLUSIONS: More severe manifestation of gingivitis gravidarum was noticed in pregnant women with risk of preterm low birth. We did not prove correlation between amount of bacterial dental plaque in pregnant women and risk of preterm low birth weight.