Evaluation of the relationship between the severity of periodontal disease and carotid artery calcification on panoramic radiographs: A case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: According to the World Health Organization, periodontitis is the sixth most common disease in humans. Some evidence has pointed out that a relationship exists between periodontal disease and some systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases. Given that cardiovascular events are predicted to be one of the leading causes of death by 2030, we decided to investigate the relationship between the severity of periodontitis and carotid artery calcification (CAC) on panoramic radiographs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 132 individuals (66 CAC + and 66 CAC-) were included in this case-control study. Panoramic radiographs of the patients were evaluated. Patients aged 30 years or older, who were dentate, who were suffering from periodontitis, and who did not have any systemic diseases or potential risk factors affecting CAC were included in the study. Clinical and radiographic assessments were used to determine the severity and activity of periodontitis (bleeding on probing, probing depth, clinical attachment loss, tooth loss, and alveolar bone loss).

RESULTS: Among CAC + individuals, 20 people had unilateral lesions and 46 had bilateral lesions; comparison of the severity of periodontitis showed no significance between them. The severity of periodontal disease was significantly higher in the CAC + individuals compared to the CAC - individuals (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the body mass index values were considerably higher in CAC - individuals (P = 0.032). There was no significant difference in the distribution of age, sex, smoking, alveolar bone loss, and number of lost teeth between the two groups.

CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed a significant correlation between the severity of periodontitis and CAC.