Resumo

VIEIRA, Denise Regina Pontes et al. Association between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disorders: review of current findings. Odontol. Clín.-Cient. (Online) [online]. 2011, vol.10, n.4, pp. 313-315. ISSN 1677-3888.

Chronic inflammation from any source is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, and periodontal disease is a possible trigger of chronic inflammation. The association between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disorders is biologically plausible. Thus, this paper aims to review the current literature in order to investigate if there is an association between cardiovascular disease and periodontal disease, verifying if that it constitutes a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A direct causal relationship between periodontitis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular changes has not been established yet. Several studies support two biologically plausible mechanisms: 1) moderate to severe periodontitis increases the level of systemic inflammation and it has been shown by measurements of C-reactive protein and other biomarkers; 2) in untreated periodontitis, bacterial species commonly found in periodontal pockets have also been found in atherosclerotic plaques. There is much controversy on this issue, especially regarding the cause and pathophysiological mechanisms that explain this association. Thus, further studies are required before to say with accuracy whether periodontal disease is or is not a risk factor for cardiovascular disorders.

Palavras-chave : Periodontal disease; Cardiovascular disease; Risk factors..