(19-09-09) Cross-sectional study of vitamin d and calcium supplementation effects on chronic periodontitis.

Miley DD, Garcia MN, Hildebolt CF, Shannon WD, Couture RA, Anderson Spearie CL, Dixon DA, Langenwalter EM, Mueller C, Civitelli R.
Graduate Periodontics, Saint Louis University Center for Advanced Dental Education, St. Louis, MO.

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.

Source: J Periodontol. 2009 Sep;80(9):1433-9

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