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Signs of carotid calcification from dental panoramic radiographs are in agreement with Doppler sonography results
Author(s) -
Ravon Nicolas A.,
Hollender Lars G.,
Mcdonald Vanessa,
Persson G. Rutger
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1046/j.0303-6979.2003.00427.x
Subject(s) - medicine , periodontitis , odds ratio , dental alveolus , bleeding on probing , radiography , dentistry , calcification , clinical attachment loss , radiology
Background: Duplex ultrasonography (DS) is a frequently used noninvasive method for assessing carotid artery stenosis. The level of agreement between panoramic radiographs (PMX) findings of radiopacities in the area of C3–C4 and DS results has not been established. Aims: (1) to examine the level of agreement between DS results and PMX signs of carotid calcification and (2) to evaluate the association between periodontitis and DS results. Material and methods: Eighty‐three subjects who had received a DS assessment at the University of Washington Medical Center within 36 months volunteered for a periodontal examination, including assessments of probing pocket depth (PPD), attachment level (PAL), evidence of bleeding on probing and bone loss from PMX. Two examiners independently analyzed the radiographs for evidence of carotid calcifications. The distance between the cemento‐enamel junction (CEJ) to bone level (BL) CEJ–BL was used to assess alveolar bone loss as a criteria for periodontitis. Results: Twenty‐nine subjects (34.9%) presented with positive DS readings. The Mantel–Haentszel common odds ratio estimate for a positive DS score and periodontitis (>30% of teeth with distance CEJ–BL4.0 mm) was 38.4 (95% CI: 10.6–138.7, p <0.0001). For nonsmokers only ( n =72) the odds ratio was 43.0 (95% CI: 16.7–1178.0, p <0.0001). Evidence of bleeding on probing was 16% of sites both in the DS‐positive and ‐negative subjects. Subjects with a positive DS result had significantly more teeth with clinical evidence of attachment loss5.0 mm ( p <0.001). The odds ratio of having periodontitis (CEJ–BL4.0 mm at 30% of the teeth) and medical records confirmed diagnosis of either a stroke or an infarct or both was 7.8 (95% CI: 2.6–23.8, p <0.001). Conclusions: Subjects with positive DS readings of the carotid arteries due to calcified arterial plaque are accurately detected by means of conventional PMX. The likelihood of being DS positive and having radiographic evidence of periodontitis is high. A dose–response relationship between the extent of carotid calcification and severity of periodontitis was demonstrated, supporting the hypothesis of an association between periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases.