Romandini P, Marruganti C, Romandini W G, Sanz M, Grandini S, Romandini M. Are periodontitis and dental caries associated? A systematic review with meta-analyses. J Clin Periodontol 2023; DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.13910.

Periodontitis was found to be associated with the presence and number of treated/untreated root carious lesions.

This systematic review investigated if adults suffering from periodontitis have a higher presence/number of untreated carious lesions and caries experience (O) than subjects without periodontitis (C). Observational studies that met specific inclusion criteria were included. A total of 18 studies on 21 cohorts, involving 135,018 participants, were included. Meta-analyses showed a significant association between periodontitis and the presence of at least one tooth with either untreated carious lesions or caries experience (decayed and filled teeth ≥ 1). Subjects with periodontitis exhibited a higher number of surfaces and teeth with untreated carious lesions and caries experience than those without periodontitis. Subgroup analyses by caries location indicated that periodontitis was associated only with root caries, not caries affecting the anatomical crown. Caries-specific preventive measures (eg fluorides) should be considered for individuals with periodontitis.