Different cytokine genotypes have been described in periodontal disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic association of interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphisms in patients with early onset- (EOP) and adult periodontitis (AP) and to investigate possible associations with clinical manifestations. Based on clinical parameters and radiographs, 23 patients with AP and 18 patients with EOP were included in the study. Additionally, 21 healthy subjects, who were age-matched, were included as a control group. Genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood samples and the IL-10 promoter positions -597 and -824 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Polymorphisms were detected by restriction-enzyme cleavage. No statistical significance in the allele frequencies between patients and controls could be demonstrated. The *A and *C alleles at the -597 position were associated with the *T and *C alleles at the -824 position, respectively. We conclude that the investigated polymorphisms are not associated with periodontal disease. Schlagwörter: Interleukin - 10, Polymorphisms, Early Onset Periodontitis, Adult Periodontitis