What uniquely characterizes aggressive periodontitis?

Aggressive periodontitis is uniquely characterized by its strong genetic component and its occurrence in younger individuals, distinguishing it from other forms of periodontal disease. The condition can arise in adolescents or young adults, making it noteworthy that it does not solely correlate with poor oral hygiene, which is more typical for chronic forms of periodontal diseases. In aggressive periodontitis, despite the presence of good oral hygiene, the disease can progress rapidly, suggesting underlying genetic predispositions or immune system deficiencies.

This form of periodontal disease typically shows a local or systemic effect that leads to severe bone loss and attachment loss, occurring at a remarkably fast rate compared to chronic periodontitis. The identification of specific genetic markers related to aggressive periodontitis supports the assertion that this condition is not merely due to environmental factors like oral hygiene but also rooted in genetic susceptibility, thereby leading to its classification as a genetically linked and advanced form of periodontal disease.