Aim: It is discussed that excess vitamin A intake stimulates bone resorption and inhibits bone formation. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the association between the patients amount of vitamin A intake and periodontitis. Methods: In a cross-sectional pilot-study 58 Caucasians with severe periodontitis (mean attachmentloss > 5mm) and 287 periodontal healthy Caucasian controls (30 to 60 years of age) were investigated. Periodontal conditions and risk factors were evaluated by a thorough dental examination and a structured interview by trained interviewers in a face-to-face interview to investigate all known and/or suspected risk factors for periodontitis as well as the amount of vitamin A intake per year. Vitamin A intake was stratified in 0-1g (base), 1-3g, 3-5g and more than 5g vitamin A per year. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups concerning age and gender. In a multivariate model with “mean plaque index” (OR 3.95; 95%-CI 2.10-7.44; p< 0.001), “smoking [packyears]” (OR 1.02; 95%-CI 1.01-1.02; p=0.004), “dental visits > 1 per year” (n.s.) and local risk factors for periodontitis (n.s.), the intake of 3-5 g Vitamin A per year (OR=3.94; 95%-CI 1.52-10.19; p=0.005) and > 5g Vitamin A per year (OR=4.85; 95%-CI 1.69-13.93; p=0.003) remained statistically significant. Conclusions: The association identified in this study is found to be independent from other risk factors for periodontitis in a multivariate model. Therefore it is concluded that excessive chronic vitamin A intake may be an independent risk factor for periodontitis.

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