Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including coronary artery disease, stroke, and heart failure, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that over 17.9 million people die from CVDs annually, accounting for 32% of all global deaths1. Simultaneously, poor oral health, particularly periodontal disease and edentulism, continues to be prevalent globally and is increasingly being recognized for its potential systemic impacts.

The oral cavity serves as a mirror to systemic health. Numerous epidemiological and clinical studies have highlighted the bidirectional relationship between oral health and systemic diseases, especially cardiovascular conditions2. Mechanisms such as chronic inflammation, bacteremia, and the systemic dissemination of oral pathogens have been proposed to link periodontal infections to atherogenesis and cardiovascular events3. Among dental patients, those requiring prosthodontic rehabilitation, especially due to complete or partial tooth loss, often have a history of long-standing periodontal disease or poor oral hygiene, which may place them at a higher risk for systemic diseases including CVD4.

Prosthodontic rehabilitation aims to restore oral function and esthetics in patients with tooth loss. The growing demand for such rehabilitation services, especially among aging populations, necessitates a deeper understanding of the underlying health conditions in this demographic5. Many patients who present for prosthodontic care, especially complete denture wearers, may already suffer from chronic systemic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, which can influence their treatment outcomes and overall prognosis6.

Despite these clinical concerns, limited literature exists that directly examines the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in patients actively seeking prosthodontic care. Most studies focus either on general dental populations or specifically on periodontal health. There remains a significant gap in knowledge regarding the systemic health status—particularly cardiovascular health—of patients seeking prosthodontic rehabilitation.

Understanding the prevalence and patterns of CVD among this subset of patients is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it allows prosthodontists and general dentists to tailor treatment plans more effectively, with adequate medical consultation and precautionary measures. Secondly, it contributes to the larger body of evidence supporting oral-systemic health connections, potentially influencing public health strategies and patient education7. Lastly, early identification of undiagnosed or poorly managed systemic conditions during dental visits can facilitate timely referrals and reduce the burden of disease at the community level.

This cross-sectional study was therefore designed to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases among patients seeking prosthodontic rehabilitation. Additionally, the study aimed to analyze potential associations with demographic and behavioral risk factors such as age, gender, smoking, and edentulism.

Sample Size and Selection: A total of 250 adult patients seeking prosthodontic rehabilitation, either removable or fixed prostheses, were recruited using convenience sampling. Inclusion criteria were age ≥30 years, willingness to participate, and the absence of any acute infection or malignancy.

Data Collection: Participants underwent a structured interview and clinical examination. A validated questionnaire collected data on:

• Demographics (age, gender)
• Medical history (presence of cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, etc.)
• Risk factors (smoking, diabetes, BMI)
• Dental status (edentulism: partial/complete)
• Type of prosthodontic rehabilitation sought

Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics were used to determine prevalence. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis assessed associations between variables. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Out of 250 participants, 71 (28.4%) were diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases. The mean age was 57.8 years, with 60% males and 40% females.

Table 1: Distribution of Participants by Cardiovascular Status and Edentulism

Complete edentulism was significantly more prevalent among CVD patients (p=0.001), suggesting a potential association between chronic oral deterioration and systemic vascular risk (Table 1).

Table 2: Association of Cardiovascular Disease with Age, Gender, and Smoking

Older age (>60 years), male gender, and smoking history showed statistically significant associations with the presence of cardiovascular disease among patients seeking prosthodontic care (Table 2).

This study highlights a concerning prevalence (28.4%) of cardiovascular diseases among patients presenting for prosthodontic rehabilitation. These findings align with prior studies that indicate individuals with poor oral health and tooth loss may be at higher systemic risk 8-10.

Complete edentulism was found to be a strong marker for CVD in our cohort, which supports earlier theories that tooth loss reflects cumulative oral inflammation and systemic exposure to pathogens that contribute to endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis11,12. The relationship between edentulism and cardiovascular disease may be explained through mechanisms such as systemic inflammation, cytokine production, and direct microbial translocation13.

Our data also reaffirmed the role of traditional cardiovascular risk factors—such as older age, male sex, and smoking—which have been widely validated in both dental and medical literature14,15. These findings underscore the multifactorial nature of CVD and highlight the dental clinic as a potential screening point for broader health evaluations16,17.

The implications of this study are twofold: (1) prosthodontists should routinely consider systemic health assessments, and (2) interdisciplinary referrals should be encouraged when cardiovascular risk is suspected. Patient education regarding the link between oral and systemic health must be strengthened to promote preventive strategies and early intervention.

A significant proportion of patients seeking prosthodontic rehabilitation present with cardiovascular diseases, particularly those with complete edentulism. Dental professionals must be vigilant in assessing systemic health and collaborating with physicians for optimal patient outcomes. Integrating cardiovascular risk screening in dental settings could play a vital role in early disease detection and prevention.

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