Prevalence of periodontitis in adults in the United States: 2009 and 2010.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Nationally representative cross-sectional survey (analogous to observational prevalence study)
PubMed 22935673 · doi:10.1177/0022034512457373
What was done
Data were analyzed from the 2009–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycle of 3,742 civilian, non-institutionalized US adults aged 30 years and older with one or more natural teeth. Attachment loss (AL) and probing depth (PD) were measured at 6 sites per tooth on all teeth except third molars to estimate the prevalence, severity, and extent of periodontitis.
What was found
Over 47% of the sample (representing 64.7 million adults) had periodontitis, categorized as 8.7% mild, 30.0% moderate, and 8.5% severe. Among adults aged 65 and older, 64% had moderate or severe periodontitis. Overall, 86% had ≥1 tooth with AL ≥ 3 mm and 40.9% had ≥1 tooth with PD ≥ 4 mm. Regarding disease extent, 56% and 18% of adults had ≥5% of periodontal sites with AL ≥ 3 mm and PD ≥ 4 mm, respectively. Prevalence was highest in men, Mexican Americans, adults with less than a high school education, adults below 100% of Federal Poverty Levels, and current smokers.
Why it matters
This study provides definitive national benchmark data showing that periodontal disease affects nearly half of US adults, identifying substantial socioeconomic and demographic disparities.
Limits
The study is cross-sectional, preventing assessment of disease incidence or progression over time. The findings exclude institutionalized individuals, adults under 30, and edentulous individuals, and third molars were excluded from examination.
Cited by
- contradicts Studies show that 97% of adults age 65 and older have periodontal disease or have already lost teeth due to periodontal disease.