ABSTRACT
Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine retrospectively the presence of
carotid artery calcifications (CACs) detected on panoramic radiographs (PRs) in a
group of Turkish population. Further, the relationships between CACs and gender, life
style, and medical history were evaluated.
Methods:During the years 2004 to 2006, a random sample of 1282 PRs was collected from
patients older than 40 years who were being treated by the School of Dentistry, Erciyes
University. Of these 1282 PRs, 750 PRs were included in this study. Medical data was
collected from the archival records of the dental school.
Results: About 38 (5.06%) CACs were found on the PRs of 12 (4.5%) males and 26 (5.4%)
females. The CAC prevalence was not significantly different between the males and
females (P=0.583). These calcifications were unilateral in 26 (68.4%) and bilateral
in 12 (31.6%) subjects. Of those in the positive group, there were 12 subjects (31.58%)
with hyperlipidemia, 12 subjects (31.58%) with hypertension, 7 subjects (18.4%) with
diabetes mellitus, 6 subjects (15.8%) with cardiovascular disease, and 6 subjects
(15.8%) with smoking history.
Conclusions: This study has the highest CACs prevalence in comparison to the other
studies. Therefore, dentists caring for subjects with dental problems should carefully
evaluate their PRs for the evidence of CACs, and refer them for medical evaluation
as indicated. So, incidental findings could provide life-saving information. (Eur
J Dent 2007;1:132-138)
Key words
Panoramic radiograph - Carotid artery calcification - Atherosclerosis - Risk factors