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Meta-Analysis
. 2024 May 10;28(6):306.
doi: 10.1007/s00784-024-05687-2.

Association between periodontitis and dental caries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Yixin Li #  1 , Yonggang Xiang #  2 , Haixia Ren #  1 , Chao Zhang  3 , Ziqiu Hu  1 , Weidong Leng  4 , Lingyun Xia  5
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Association between periodontitis and dental caries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Yixin Li et al. Clin Oral Investig. .

Abstract

Objectives: Recent evidence suggested a link between periodontitis (PD) and dental caries, but the trends and nature of this association remained unclear. The overall aim of this study was to critically assess the correlation of two disorders.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted within the PUBMED and EMBASE databases including grey literatures up to July 5th, 2023. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to qualitatively evaluate the risk of bias.

Results: Overall, 18 studies were included. In terms of caries risk in PD patients, the prevalence of caries was increased by PD (OR = 1.57, 95%CI:1.20-2.07), both in crown (OR = 1.03, 95%CI:1.01-1.05) and root caries (OR = 2.10, 95%CI:1.03-4.29). Odds of caries were also raised by PD severity (OR moderate = 1.38, 95%CI:1.15-1.66; OR severe = 2.14, 95%CI:1.74-2.64). Besides, patients with PD exhibited a higher mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) and decayed and filled root teeth (DFR) [weighted mean difference (WMD)DMFT = 0.87, 95%CI: -0.03-1.76; WMDDFR = 1.13, 95%CI: 0.48-1.78]. Likewise, patients with caries had an elevated risk of PD (OR = 1.79, 95%CI:1.36-2.35). However, Streptococcus mutans, one of the main pathogens of caries, was negatively correlated with several main pathogens of periodontitis.

Conclusions: This study indicated a positive correlation between dental caries and periodontitis clinically, while the two disease-associated pathogens were antagonistic.

Clinical relevance: Further research, including clinical cohort studies and mechanisms of pathogens interaction is needed on this link for better prevention and treatment of PD and caries. In addition, innovative prevention strategies need to be developed and incorporated in dental practices to prevent these two highly prevalent oral diseases.

Keywords: Antagonistic; Dental caries; Oral bacteria; Periodontitis; Systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, author- ship, and publication of this article.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA flowchart: selection process of studies and results of the literature search for meta-analysis
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot for caries risk of patients with periodontitis
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Forest plot by definition of periodontitis subgroup analysis for caries risk of patients with periodontitis
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Forest plot by severity of periodontitis subgroup analysis for caries risk of patients with periodontitis
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Forest plot by different surfaces of caries subgroup analysis for caries risk of patients with periodontitis
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Forest plot by age subgroup analysis for caries risk of patients with periodontitis
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Forest plot by gender subgroup analysis for caries risk of patients with periodontitis
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Forest plot by OR adjusted or not subgroup analysis for caries risk of patients with periodontitis
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
Forest plot for periodontitis risk of patients with caries
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
Forest plot by OR adjusted or not subgroup analysis for periodontitis risk of patients with caries
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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