During the past decade several studies have shown positive associations between different markers of dental and cardiovascular diseases. However, possible impact from periapical lesions and endodontic treatment have been not been elucidated. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between coronary heart disease (CHD) and endodontic variables. Methods: In 1992-93, a representative sample (N=1017) of women aged 38 to 84 years in Göteborg, Sweden were examined with regard to their general and dental health. In this analysis, the dependent variable was coronary heart disease diagnosed in women with angina pectoris and/or a history of myocardial infarction (N=106). The independent variables included were age, marital status, smoking, alcohol habits, body-mass index, waist-hip ratio, serum cholesterol and triglycerides, hypertension, diabetes, toothloss (TL), number of root-filled teeth (RF), and number of periapical radioluscencies (PR). TL, RF, PR served as indicators of oral disease burden over time and were categorized; TL=1 - 16 or >16 teeth, RF=0; 1; 2; or >2 root-filled teeth, respectively, PR=0; 1; 2; or >2 periapical lesions, respectively. Results: Bivariate odds ratio (OR) between CHD and RF and PR, controlling for TL resulted in non-significant odds ratios for CHD and RF (1.66 - 3.34) and CHD and PR (0.88 - 1.53). However, within the CHD/RF model the categories 0 vs 2 and 0 vs >2 showed OR 3.34 (CI 1.23 - 9.06) and 2.04 (CI 0.88 - 4.72), respectively. In a multivariable logistic regression including other risk factors neither RF nor PR reached significant odds ratios. Only age and toothloss were significant predictors of CHD. Conclusion: The results do not imply that periapical destructions or endodontic treatment have a positive association with coronary heart disease.

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