ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of apical periodontitis and endodontic treatment in hypertensive patients and control subjects without hypertension. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, the records of 40 hypertensive patients and 51 control subjects were examined. Periapical status of all teeth was assessed by using the periapical index score. RESULTS: Apical periodontitis in 1 or more teeth was found in 75% of hypertensive patients and in 61% of control subjects (P = .15; odds ratio, 1.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.78-4.81). One or more root-filled teeth were found in 45% and 39% of hypertensive and control subjects, respectively (P > .0.5). Among hypertensive patients 5.2% of the teeth had apical periodontitis, whereas in the control subjects 4.2% of teeth were affected (P > .05). The percentages of root-filled teeth in the study and control groups were 3.1% and 1.8%, respectively (P > .05). Among hypertensive patients 65% of root-filled teeth had apical periodontitis, whereas in the control subjects 43% of the root-filled teeth were associated with apical periodontitis (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of apical periodontitis and endodontic treatment was not significantly different in hypertensive patients compared with control subjects without hypertension.
