Alveolar bone loss and periodontal status in a bariatric patient: a brief review and case report

To review the effects of obesity surgery on oral health and to present a case report of the periodontal condition of an obese woman who underwent bariatric surgery. A search of studies related to bariatric surgery and oral health was made in PubMed. For case report, BMI, salivary flow, and periodontal condition were evaluated during three different periods. The oral health problems found were dental wear, periodontal diseases, xerostomia, and dental caries. The patient who was evaluated before bariatric surgery and was followed up for 2 years, lost 40.4 kg, presented normal blood glucose levels and controlled hypertension without medication. Salivary flow remained of equal value in the first year, there was an increase in mean probing depth and there existed low bone density in these sites. Patients who have undergone bariatric surgery need to be closely monitored after surgery to prevent the development of oral complications, especially periodontal conditions. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 24:84-89 (C) 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.