Periodontitis and atherogenesis: causal association or simple coincidence?

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the systemic effects of treating severe widespread periodontitis in a population of otherwise healthy individuals by examining treatment associated changes in markers of inflammation that are also implicated in cardiovascular atherosclerotic diseases. The potential impact of specific polymorphisms in cytokine genes known to influence both periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases was also examined.

Materials And Methods: A convenience sample of patients affected with severe generalised periodontitis was enrolled into a prospective single blind longitudinal intervention trial with a 6 months follow-up.