Relationship between cardiovascular disease and dental pathology. Systematic review

Background and objective: The relationship between atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease (ATCD) and localised infections in teeth, including caries and chronic apical periodontitis (CAP) has not been studied much and is not well defined. Method: A systematic search was performed using the scientific databases PubMed and Medline from 1989 to 2016. Results: A significant relationship was observed with ATCD in 10 out of 10 studies addressing the degree of oral hygiene, in 14 of 17 that included loss of teeth, in 6 of 12 that analysed caries and in 11 of 15 that included CAP. However, there was a huge methodological heterogeneity. Conclusions: It can be concluded that there is an association between CAP and ATCD. Patients with ATCD present a worse oral hygiene status and fewer teeth. (C) 2017 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.