ABSTRACT
IntroductionChronic periodontitis has been associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD).GoalThe goal of the present study was to investigate the periodontal status of patients with ischemic heart diseases.Materials and ÌethodsWe studied 35 subjects with clinically newly confirmed ischemic heart disease and 64 matched control subjects with no evidence of cardiovascular diseases all receiving a comprehensive periodontal examination.ResultsPatients with ischemic heart disease had significantly lower numbers of natural teeth. The percentage of participants with periodontal pockets (p3.0 mm (26% for case and 3% for control group, p<0.001). The mean periodontal pocket depth was 5.29 mm in the case subjects and 3.3 mm in the control group.ConclusionOur findings suggest that patients who at routine dental visits demonstrate evidence of deep periodontal pockets and clinical attachment losses around several teeth can predictably be identified as being at risk of future cardiovascular diseases, especially ischemic heart disease. Such subjects should be referred for medical and periodontal examinations and treatments.