Critical Reviews in Oral Biology & Medicine, Vol 5, 27-53, Copyright © 1994 by International & American Associations for Dental Research
Sex steroid hormones and cell dynamics in the periodontium
A. Mariotti
Department of Periodontology and Pharmacology, J. Hillis Miller Health Science Center, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610.
The biological changes that occur in tissues of the periodontium during
puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, and oral contraceptive
use have heightened interest in the relationship between sex steroid
hormones and periodontal health. These clinical observations coupled with
tissue specificity of hormone localization, identification of hormone
receptors, as well as the metabolism of hormones have strongly suggested
that periodontal tissues are targets for androgens, estrogens, and
progestins. The etiologies of periodontal endocrinopathies are diverse;
nonetheless, periodontal pathologies may be a consequence of the actions
and interactions of sex steroid hormones on specific cells found in the
periodontium.
