Liviu Zetu, Silvia Teslaru, Danisia Haba, Catalina Danila, Oana Potarnichie, Ioana Rudnic, Liliana Pasarin, Gabriela Benghiac
Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the European countries, including Romania. Over the last several years, many studies on the relationship between oral infections, especially periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases were published. The aim of this study was to analyse a possible association between cardiovascular diseases and periodontitis by marginal bone loss assessment on orthopantomographs (OPGs). Materials and methods: 171 patients with history of cardiovascular diseases diagnosed by specialist doctors (cardiologist, neurologist) were selected. Several parameters were evaluated in the dental office according to the health questionnaire and the recommended blood tests (cholesterol, triglycerides, complete hemoleucogram, C-reactive protein etc.). The same examiner assessed the dental and periodontal status of each patient on the OPGs. We analysed irredeemable teeth, periapical lesions, interradicular lesions, 4-5mm bone loss from the enamel-cement junction (ECJ) and >6mm bone loss from the enamel-cement junction (ECJ). Results: The study group presented high percents of irredeemable teeth (11%), teeth with periapical lesions (>3 mm; 4%), interradicular lesions (12%), 4-5 mm proximal bone loss (11%) and >6 mm bone loss (17%). Conclusions: The present study confirms the existence of correlations between endodontic infections, periodontal infections and cardiovascular diseases; idea supported by authors and justified by the influence of permanent discharge of proinflammatory factors (cytokines, Il-1 β, TNF-α, etc.) from the oral cavity into the bloodstream, contributing with other factors (cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.) to the appearance and evolution of cardiovascular diseases.