AbstractA single nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter region of −1607 bp of the human MMP‐1 gene has been found to be associated with an increased risk of various inflammatory diseases and cancer metastasis. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the MMP‐1 promoter gene polymorphism and chronic periodontitis susceptibility and/or severity in a Chinese population. Genomic DNA was obtained from whole blood samples in 60 Chinese subjects with chronic periodontitis and 50 periodontally healthy subjects as controls. MMP‐1 promoter fragment was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and the polymorphism was analyzed by restriction endonuclease cleavage. In the control subjects, the 2G allele was observed a frequency of 49%, while in severely diseased patients, the 2G allele was seen in 73.4%. The individuals with the 2G allele seem to be approximately three times at greater risk for developing the severe chronic periodontitis (χ2 = 12.148, P = 0.000). The genotype of 2G/2G was found in 58.5% of the severe periodontitis and 24% of the control group (χ2 = 11.779, P = 0.003). This study suggests that a single nucleotide polymorphism in the MMP‐1 promoter region of −1607 bp may be associated with severe chronic periodontitis in a Chinese population.