Medical Conditions

Localized periodontitis in teenagers and young adults. The onset is during the circumpubertal period but the diagnosis can be made beyond puberty. Lesions are confined predominantly to the first permanent molars or incisors and the distribution of lesions is usually symmetrical. The gingiva may appear normal. The lesions are highly active immediately following puberty but later destruction may slow or cease spontaneously. The disease is four times more prevalent in females than males and more prevalent in African Americans than in other races or ethnic groups. (From Schluger et al., Periodontal Diseases, 2d ed, p61)