Polymorphisms influencing the binding affinity between the Fcgamma receptors and IgG of different subclasses are thought to be of importance in the individual susceptibility to infections with Gram-negative bacteria contributing to periodontal disease. One hundred and fifty-four Caucasian subjects were clinically and radiographically examined for their periodontal status and genotyped for their allelic pattern of FcgammaRIIa, FcgammaRIIIa, and FcgammaIIIb polymorphism. In assessing periodontitis according to mean probing depth and attachment loss, no differences were found in allele frequencies or combined allotypes between the subjects with mild or moderate and those with severe signs of periodontitis. However, the extent and severity of bone loss were significantly associated with the genotype of the receptor FcgammaRIIIa. An increased risk of severe bone destruction was observed in individuals carrying the FcgammaRIIIa-VV genotype (OR = 5.3; 95% CI 1.4-26.2). FcgammaRIIIb is in linkage disequilibrium with FcgammaRIIIa. Hence it is also related to periodontal disease. There is no indication of an association between the polymorphism of FcgammaRIIa and periodontitis. The results are evidence that the FcgammaRIIIa genotype coding for the high affinity receptor imposes an additional risk of bone loss as does the FcgammaRIIIb genotype coding for the low affinity receptor.