Relationship between calcified carotid atheromas in digital panoramic radiographs and underlying systemic diseases in implant patients

Aim The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between calcified carotid atheromas (CCA) detected on digital panoramic radiographs and underlying systemic diseases. Methods Panoramic radiographs and underlying systemic diseases of retained mandibular denture implants in 265 patients (56 males, 209 females) aged over 50 years were retrospectively evaluated at the Dental Unit of Prasat Neurological Institute, Bangkok, Thailand. Results The mean age of the patients was 71 ± 7.1 years. The prevalence of CCA was 38.49%. The major underlying systemic diseases were hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), respectively. No relationship was found among these four systemic diseases in detecting CCA on panoramic radiographs. Similar findings were also observed in patients with only one systemic disease versus in combination with other diseases. Conclusions The presence of CCA on dental panoramic radiographs was not found to be related to the presence of underlying systemic diseases, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and CVD.