title: Evaluation of the relationship between periodontal risk and carotid artery calcifications on panoramic radiographs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate if there is a relationship between findings of carotid artery calcification (CAC) and periodontal risk in nonsmoker subjects by using panoramic radiographs (DPR).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1146 DPRs were investigated. Gender, age, severity of bone loss, tooth loss, periodontal risk, and findings of carotid calcification were recorded. The periodontal risk was evaluated and classified according to the degree of alveolar bone loss.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CAC was diagnosed in %13.6 (n: 156) of DPRs. Of 1146 patients, 338 (29.5%) had low, 668 (60%) had moderate, and 120 (10.5%) had high periodontal risk. A statistically significant relation was observed between carotid calcification and periodontal risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Positive findings of carotid calcification may be related with periodontal problems. Clinicians must be careful about diagnosing CACs on DPRs during routine examinations. In the case of positive findings of CAC and periodontitis together, the patient may be consulted to a specialist for further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale, Turkiye.
authors.forename: Gulen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kamak
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale, Turkiye.
authors.forename: Eren
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkiye.
authors.forename: Emin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rencber
keywords: Calcified carotid artery; nonsmokers; panoramic radiograph; periodontitis