Association between dental factors and mortality.

Area of Science:

• Oral health research
• Cardiovascular epidemiology
• Mortality studies

Background:

• Oral health is increasingly recognized for its systemic implications.
• The association between specific oral parameters and mortality requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the link between oral health conditions (endodontic infections, root canal fillings, tooth loss, dentures) and cardiovascular/all-cause mortality.
• To analyze these associations in a cohort of adults with cardiac symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Finnish Parogene cohort (n=508) with baseline oral examinations and coronary angiography.
• Assessed oral parameters including root canal fillings, endodontic lesions, and tooth count from radiographs and medical records.
• Mortality data collected via linkage with the Finnish Causes of Death register over an average 7.8-year follow-up.

Main Results:

• A total of 69 deaths were recorded, with 41 due to cardiovascular diseases.
• Fewer root canal fillings were observed in deceased individuals compared to survivors (P=0.03).
• Inverse associations were found between mortality and the number of teeth, use of removable dentures, and root canal fillings after adjusting for confounders.

Conclusions:

• Tooth loss emerged as the strongest mortality predictor; endodontic infections alone were not independently associated.
• Interventions like root canal fillings and dentures correlated with improved survival.
• Healthcare utilization may partially explain the survival benefit associated with dental interventions.