A recent systematic review of interventional trials evaluating the effects of periodontal therapy on CVD outcomes concluded that there are no studies currently that evaluate periodontal therapy as a primary prevention of CVD in patients with periodontitis.93 Authors conclude that periodontal treatment does reduce several risk factors for CVD, but that more studies are needed to determine the value of periodontal therapy for CVD patients.93,94
There is current evidence that periodontal therapy improves the following CVD risk factors:
As a result of the above evidence, a joint statement from the editors from the Journal of Cardiology and the Journal of Periodontology was developed. This statement recommended that patients who are diagnosed with CVD should be managed by both physicians and periodontists to treat periodontal disease, maintain periodontal health, and optimise CVD care.105