title: Prospective evaluation of the systemic inflammatory marker C-reactive protein in patients with end-stage periodontitis getting teeth replaced with dental implants: a pilot investigation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) has been shown to be a risk predictor for cardiovascular disease. Periodontal treatment reduces elevated CRP levels. The aim of this pilot investigation was to evaluate if dental implants placed after extractions in patients with end-stage periodontitis affect the serum CRP levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum CRP levels in 10 subjects with end-stage periodontitis were measured prior to tooth extraction and placement of dental implants, and at 3-month intervals for a year post-operatively. Univariate repeated measures analysis of variance was used to estimate and test the changes in CRP levels over time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean CRP levels decreased significantly following tooth extraction and replacement with dental implants from 3.45 to 1.55 mg/dl after 12 months (P < 0.01). Six-, 9-, and 12-month post-implant placement mean CRP values were statistically significantly different from the mean pre-operative CRP value (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pilot data suggest that extraction of advanced periodontally involved teeth and their replacement with dental implants lead to a decrease in CRP levels, and dental implant placement does not change the lowered CRP levels over a 12-month period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 136 Brauer Hall, CB#7450, NC 27599, USA. rahmana@dentistry.unc.edu
authors.forename: Amin Ur
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Saqib
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rashid
authors.forename: Rizwana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Noon
authors.forename: Zeerak S
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Samuel
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Wenche S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Borgnakke
authors.forename: Ray C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D015921:Dental Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000601:surgery; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014081:Tooth Extraction
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D002097:C-Reactive Protein