The information presented here represents preliminary research as the result of ten-weeks of investigation in-residence at the National Museum of Natural History. This is not an official publication of the information.

As preliminary information, results and/or findings should not be cited as part of conclusive work. Please contact the authors first if you wish to utilize the information presented here.

Introduction

Epidemiological and clinical studies suggest correlations between periodontal disease and heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other systemic diseases

If such correlations exist, periodontal disease could be a skeletal marker for these diseases, which are difficult to diagnose in archaeological specimens since they affect primarily soft tissue.

Proposed explanations for a correlation include introduction of periodontal bacteria into the bloodstream and elevated levels of immune and inflammatory response molecules

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Materials

This study utilized the Robert J. Terry Anatomical Skeletal Collection, an assemblage of 1,728 skeletal specimens with recorded year-of-birth, sex, race, age-at-death, and cause-of-death.

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Methods

415 specimens were scored for number of
periapical abscesses, periodontal abscesses, and total abscesses

Carious lesions exposing the pulp chamber
remodeling sockets, resorbed sockets, and total antemortem losses.

We introduced a new measure, periodontal distress sum, defined as the number of sockets with at least one of the above conditions

A new scoring system for endocranial remodeling was developed.

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Results

Periodontal distress sum was significantly higher among myocarditis fatalities than among controls (p=0.33).

However, no significant differences existed between cause-of-death groups when individuals were placed into six age-at-death cohorts.

The numbers of abscesses and pulp exposures due to caries were not significantly correlated with age or endocranial remodeling. Nor did these measures differ significantly between the control group and disease groups.

The periodontal distress sum was more strongly correlated with age than other periodontal disease measures including antemortem losses.

Endocranial remodeling was significantly correlated with age and the periodontal distress sum. This lends credence to the belief that periodontal inflammatory activity is associated with systemic bone activity and overall inflammation.

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Discussion

Nonexistence of correlation could be due to characteristics of the Terry Collection.

Perhaps African-Americans have fewer antemortem losses because they had less access to dental care and therefore had fewer healthy or infected teeth pulled.

Study suggests that inflammation at least partly accounts for correlation between periodontal disease and systemic diseases.

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In conclusion. . .

Preliminary study: no consistent significant correlation demonstrated, although trends contribute to understanding of possible correlations between periodontal disease and systemic disease.

Periodontal distress sum introduced and found to be more strongly correlated with age and systemic disease than other dental disease measures.

New method introduced for scoring endocranial remodeling, which was found to be significantly correlated with age and periodontal disease
Interesting trends provoke further study.

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Acknowledgements

I owe my deepest gratitude to Dr. Dave Hunt, Dr. Douglas Owsley, Dr. Ralph Chapman, Dr. Donald Ortner, Arion Mayes, Kari Bruwelheide, Mary Sangrey, and all others who assisted me.
This research was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates Program, Award Number DBI-9820303.

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ENTOMOLOGY

Sarah Garrett
"An Inventory of Leafroller Species of Moths of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park"

Abstract / Summary

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