[Clinical and clinico-histological markers in chronic destructive adult periodontitis]. / Estudio de marcadores clínicos y clínico-histológico en la periodontitis crónica destructiva del adulto.

This study was designed to evaluate the significance and interrelationship of clinical parameters and their association with histologic changes in advanced destructive periodontitis. 158 patients with PDI greater than 4 (Ramfjord) were selected, evaluating the size, contouring, bleeding, consistency, colour and gingival pain. Epithelial ulceration of soft periodontal pockets were also evaluated. The results showed a statistically significant association between purplish colour and gingival fibrosis and advanced stage of the disease. Gingival bleeding on probing was the most important clinical parameter in advanced phases of the disease, either alone or in association with other parameters such as the presence of epithelial ulcerations. The Periodontal Disease Index (Ramfjord) has proven effective in the evaluation of generalized patterns of disease.