Necrotising periodontal diseases and alcohol misuse - a cause of osteonecrosis?

'Necrotising periodontal diseases' is an umbrella term for necrotising gingivitis, necrotising periodontitis, necrotising stomatitis and noma. These rapidly destructive conditions are characterised by pain, interdental ulceration and gingival necrosis which, if left untreated, can result in osteonecrosis. Research indicates that patients with a history of alcohol misuse are at an increased risk of malnutrition, which negatively affects the immune response and predisposition to necrotising periodontal diseases. This article will discuss that osteonecrosis of the alveolar bone does not exclusively occur in association with antiresorptive medications, but can occur as a severe form of necrotising gingivitis. In this article, we will describe two cases to highlight the occurrence, presentation and management of necrotising periodontal diseases secondary to alcohol misuse.
(© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to British Dental Association.)