Uncompensated tooth loss in cardiac patients of Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore.

OBJECTIVE To observe replacement of missing teeth with artificial teeth in subjects with and with out cardiac diseases and find its possible association with coronary heart diseases (CHD). METHODOLOGY Consecutive patients aged 20 and above with coronary heart disease and accompanied healthy subjects with tooth loss were examined for oral prosthesis after having a verbal consent, over a one month period in a cross-sectional study at Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore. Chi-square and T- test were applied to analyze variables in subjects with and without coronary heart disease. RESULTS Among 1694 subjects found with tooth loss, 1473 (86.95) subjects had no oral prosthesis; 817 (87.37%) were among the 935 cardiac patients and 656 (86.42%) among 759 healthy subjects. Oral prosthesis was found in 86 (8.05%) males and 32 (5.11%) females with coronary heart diseases. Of the healthy population, 46 (4.30%) males and 57 (9.10%) females had oral prosthesis. Statistical association for prosthesis was insignificant among cardiac patients and healthy subjects. CONCLUSION No association of uncompensated tooth loss with cardiac diseases was observed in this study. Although a large majority of cardiac patients and healthy subjects were observed with uncompensated tooth loss which was statistically insignificant.