Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Prevalence of carotid and pulp calcifications: a correlation using digital panoramic radiographs

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To compare the prevalence of pulp calcification with that of carotid calcification using digital panoramic dental radiographs.

Study design

Digital panoramic radiographs of patients at a dental oncology clinic were included if (1) the carotid artery bifurcation region was visible bilaterally and (2) the patient had non-restored or minimally restored molars and/or canines. An endodontist evaluated the images for pulpal calcifications in the selected teeth. An oral and maxillofacial radiologist independently evaluated the same images for calcifications in the carotid bifurcation region. Odds-ratio and Pearson χ2 were used for data analysis. Presence of pulpal calcification was also evaluated as a screening test for the presence of carotid calcification.

Results

A total of 247 panoramic radiographs were evaluated. 32% (n = 80) had pulpal calcifications and 25% (n = 61) had carotid calcifications with 12% (n = 29) having both carotid and pulp calcifications. A significantly higher prevalence of both pulp and carotid calcification was found in subjects older than age 60 years compared to younger age groups. Accuracy of pulpal calcification in screening for carotid calcification was 66.4%.

Conclusions

Both pulp and carotid calcifications were more prevalent in older individuals. The presence of pulp calcification was not a strong predictor for the presence of carotid calcification.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Friedlander AH, Baker JD (1994) Panoramic radiography: an aid in detecting patients at risk of cerebrovascular accident. J Am Dent Assoc 125: 1593–1603

    Google Scholar 

  2. Farman AG (2001) Panoramic radiology and the detection of carotid atherosclerosis. Panor Imaging News 1(2): 1–6

    Google Scholar 

  3. Farman AG, Farman TT, Khan Z, Chen Z, Carter LC, Friedlander AH (2001) The role of the dentist in detection of carotid atherosclerosis. SADJ 56: 549–553

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Friedlander AH, Dounis G, Gratt BM (1996) Lateral cephalometric radiographs: an aid in detecting patients at risk for stroke. J Am Dent Assoc 127: 1745–1750

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Edds AC, Walden JE, Scheetz JP, Goldsmith LJ, Drisko CL, Eleazer PD (2005) Pilot study of correlation of pulp stones with cardiovascular disease.. J Endod 31: 504–506. doi:10.1097/01.don.0000168890.42903.2b

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Almog DM, Illag KA, Khin M, Green RM (2000) Unrecognized carotid artery stenosis discovered by calcifications on a panoramic radiograph. J Am Dent Assoc 131: 1593–1597

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Almog DM, Illig KA, Carter LC, Friedlander AH, Brooks SL, Grimes RM (2004) Diagnosis of non-dental conditions. Carotid artery calcifications on panoramic radiographs identify patients at risk for stroke. N Y State Dent J 70(8): 20–25

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Goga R, Chandler NP, Oginni AO (2008) Pulp stones: a review.. Int Endod J 41: 457–468. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2591.2008.01374.x

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Moura AAM, Paiva JG (1987) Pulpal calcifications in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.. Endod Dent Traumatol 3: 307–309. doi:10.1111/j.1600-9657.1987.tb00640.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Carter LC (2000) Discrimination between calcified triticeous cartilage and calcified carotid atheroma on panoramic radiography.. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 90: 108–110. doi:10.1067/moe.2000.106297

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Moss-Salentijn L, Klyvert MH (1983) Epithelially induced denticles in the pulps of recently erupted, noncarious human premolars.. J Endod 9: 554–560. doi:10.1016/S0099-2399(83)80060-0

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. D’Ambrosio JA, Schiff TG, McDavid WD, Langland OE (1986) Diagnostic quality versus patient exposure with five panoramic screen-film combinations.. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 61: 409–411. doi:10.1016/0030-4220(86)90428-7

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Collins MA, Mauriello SM, Tyndall DA, Wright JT (1999) Dental anomalies associated with amelogenesis imperfecta: a radiographic assessment.. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 88: 358–364. doi:10.1016/S1079-2104(99)70043-0

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Stajer AL, Kokai LE (1997) Incidence and origin of dental pulp stones. Fogorv Sz 90: 119–123

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Iribarren C, Go AS, Tolstykh I, Sidney S, Johnston SC, Spring DB (2004) Breast vascular calcification and risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure.. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 13: 381–392. doi:10.1089/154099904323087060

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Yao Q, Pecoits-Filho R, Lindholm B, Stenvinkel P (2004) Traditional and non-traditional risk factors as contributors to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in end-stage renal disease.. Scand J Urol Nephrol 38: 405–416. doi:10.1080/00365590410031715

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lakewood, CO, USA

    Scott H. Horsley

  2. St. George, UT, USA

    Brice Beckstrom

  3. Department of Periodontics, Endodontics and Dental Hygiene, School of Dentistry, University of Louisville, 501 South Preston Street, Room LL35, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA

    Stephen J. Clark

  4. Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Louisville, 501 South Preston Street, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA

    James P. Scheetz & Zafrulla Khan

  5. Department of Surgical and Hospital Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Louisville, 501 South Preston Street, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA

    Allan G. Farman

Authors
  1. Scott H. Horsley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Brice Beckstrom
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Stephen J. Clark
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. James P. Scheetz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Zafrulla Khan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Allan G. Farman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephen J. Clark.

Additional information

Drs. Horsley and Beckstrom are currently in private practice and are formerly residents at the University of Louisville School Dentistry. Dr. Clark is an Associate Professor and Drs. Scheetz, Khan, and Farman hold the rank of Professor at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Horsley, S.H., Beckstrom, B., Clark, S.J. et al. Prevalence of carotid and pulp calcifications: a correlation using digital panoramic radiographs. Int J CARS 4, 169–173 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-008-0277-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-008-0277-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation