Influence of the Periodontium on Cardiovascular Disease
DENTAL NEWS, Volume VII, Number 1, 2000 Influence of the Periodontium on Cardiovascular Disease Pr. Thomas E. Rams - DDS, Professor and Chairman, Department of Periodontology and Professor of Oral Biology, Associate Dean for Advanced Education and Research, Temple University School of Dentistry. Pr. Eugene J. Whitaker - Dentistry and Oral Biology, and Director of Oral Biology Research Laboratory, Temple University School of Dentistry. ABSTRACT The results of several recent cross-sectional and longitudinal human epi-demiologic studies have demonstrated a statistical link between the occurrence of destructive periodontal disease in the oral cavity and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Several theories have been advanced to explain the association of the two diseases. However, it is not presently known if periodontitis plays an etiologic role in the patho-genesis of cardiovascular disease or whether the relationship is merely a statistical...