Objectives: Hormones are specific regulatory molecules that have potent effects on the major determinants of the development and the integrity of the skeleton and oral cavity including periodontal tissues. Currently accepted periodontal disease classification recognized the influence of endogenously produced sex hormones on the periodontium. However, their impacts on periodontal tissues are not sufficiently updated. Therefore, this systematic review is intended to analyze the effects of hormones on the periodontium at different life times such as puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause and postmenopause. Moreover, the effects of contraceptives and hormone replacement therapies on the periodontium are discussed. Methods: The authors conducted a medline search upto 2004 and in addition, a manual search was also performed including specific related journals and text-books. The articles they selected for further review included those published in English in peer-reviewed journals. This review consists of two sections. First section includes properties of sex steroid hormones (especially androgens, estrogen and progesteron) and their effects on periodontium, the second section gives detailed information about hormonal variations on puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause and postmenopause and their interactions with periodontal changes, further the effects of contraceptives and hormone replacement therapies on the periodontium are also discussed. Results: Sex steroid hormones play pivotal role in periodontal disease and periodontal wound healing. Hormones seem to have different effects by life time period and gender. Further, effects of sex steroid hormones on periodontal tissues may be minimized by periodontal treatment especially dental plaque control and hormone replacement therapies. Conclusion: It is clear that endogenous sex steroid hormones play significant roles in modulating the periodontal tissue responses. A better and updated understanding of the periodontal changes to varying hormonal levels throughout life can help the dental practitioner in the diagnosis and treatment.

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