Hypertension and dental periapical condition.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of apical periodontitis and endodontic treatment in hypertensive patients and control subjects without hypertension.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, the records of 40 hypertensive patients and 51 control subjects were examined. Periapical status of all teeth was assessed by using the periapical index score.

RESULTS

Apical periodontitis in 1 or more teeth was found in 75% of hypertensive patients and in 61% of control subjects (P = .15; odds ratio, 1.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.78-4.81). One or more root-filled teeth were found in 45% and 39% of hypertensive and control subjects, respectively (P > .0.5). Among hypertensive patients 5.2% of the teeth had apical periodontitis, whereas in the control subjects 4.2% of teeth were affected (P > .05). The percentages of root-filled teeth in the study and control groups were 3.1% and 1.8%, respectively (P > .05). Among hypertensive patients 65% of root-filled teeth had apical periodontitis, whereas in the control subjects 43% of the root-filled teeth were associated with apical periodontitis (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of apical periodontitis and endodontic treatment was not significantly different in hypertensive patients compared with control subjects without hypertension.