An atypical form of necrotizing periodontitis.

BACKGROUND

Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis/periodontitis are considered necrotizing periodontal diseases. This case report presents an atypical form of necrotizing periodontitis, which does not fit into this classification.

METHODS

A 12-year-old child was referred to our clinic for gingival inflammation, extensive alveolar bone loss, and tooth mobility. Clinical and microbiologic examinations were carried out, and radiographs were taken. Clinical examination revealed soft and hard tissue destruction up to the mucogingival junction at the right maxillary premolar and mandibular incisors. Unusual infections or abnormalities in systemic functions were not detected through clinical and laboratory evaluations made at the Pediatrics Department, Istanbul University. Although an intensive established treatment protocol for necrotizing periodontitis was completed, management of long-standing health conditions could not be achieved because of recurrence of the disease, which caused us to repeat this treatment protocol at short intervals.

RESULTS

Investigation led to a diagnosis of an atypical form of necrotizing periodontitis because the disease had a recurrent acute phase even under a standard treatment protocol.

CONCLUSIONS

Our patient exhibits an unusual, necrotizing form of periodontal disease. The reason for the rapid rate of periodontal disease progression remains unclear.