Systemic Impact of Subgingival Infection Control in Periodontitis Patients with Cardiovascular Disease: A Narrative Review

TL;DR

This review explores how treating gum disease might reduce inflammation and benefit heart health in patients with both conditions.

Contribution

The paper highlights quadrant-based subgingival instrumentation as a safer, effective approach for periodontitis patients with cardiovascular disease.

Findings

Periodontal therapy may lower inflammatory markers and blood cell counts in CVD patients with periodontitis.

Quadrant-based subgingival treatment reduces adverse effects compared to full-mouth delivery in CVD patients.

Systemic inflammation can be minimized through localized periodontal decontamination in dual-diagnosis patients.

Abstract

Introduction: Periodontitis, an infectious inflammatory condition, is a key contributor to sustained systemic inflammation, intricately linked to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death in developed nations. Treating periodontitis with subgingival mechanical instrumentation with or without adjunctive antimicrobials reduces the microbial burden and local inflammation, while also potentially bringing systemic benefits for patients with both periodontitis and CVD. This review examines systemic effects of subgingival instrumentation with or without antimicrobial products in individuals with periodontitis and CVD, and explores intricate pathogenetic interactions between periodontitis and CVD. Material and Methods: English-language databases (PubMed MEDLINE and Cochrane Library) were searched for studies assessing the effects of nonsurgical periodontal therapies in periodontitis patients with or without CVD. Results: While the ability of periodontal therapy to reduce mortality- and morbidity-related outcomes in CVD patients with periodontitis remains uncertain, some studies indicate a decrease in inflammatory markers and blood cell counts. Subgingival mechanical instrumentation delivered over multiple short sessions carries lower risks of adverse effects, particularly systemic inflammation, compared to the full-mouth delivery, making it a preferable option for CVD patients. Conclusions: Subgingival mechanical instrumentation, ideally conducted in a quadrant-based therapeutic approach, to decontaminate periodontal pockets has the potential to reduce both local and systemic inflammation with minimal adverse effects in patients suffering from periodontitis and concurrent CVD.

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