Necrotizing periodontitis in a heavy smoker and tobacco chewer – A case report

Necrotizing periodontitis is a distinct and specific disease characterized by rapidly progressing ulceration of the interdental gingiva and then spreading along the gingival margins and leading to acute destruction of periodontal tissues. Necrotizing ulcerative gingival lesions are common in developing countries because of poor nutritional status, poor oral hygiene and debilitating conditions. In the developed world it is mostly seen in patients with the HIV infections and other immune system dysfunctions. The exact etiology of the necrotizing lesions is still unknown; however a fuso-spirochaetal infection along with weakened host immune system seems to play a major role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Presented is the case of acute necrotizing periodontitis in a 21 year old male patient with no systemic disease but a history of tobacco use (chewing and smoking) since 7 years. The patient was managed by conservative treatment followed by surgery for the correction of gingival defects.