Dental X-rays Reveal Signs for Stroke

A panoramic radiograph, however, allows a dentist to see the total structure of the mouth in one image. Because of their closeness to the mouth, carotid arteries typically are seen in these x-rays. Informing patients about any stroke risk factors can help them determine if they need further evaluation.

"Panoramic x-rays are extremely useful for observing a patient's oral health. But they are also a beneficial adjunct screening tool for identifying patients at risk for stroke,” said Dov M. Almog, D.M.D., from the University of Rochester Medical Center, NY, USA. He incidentally detected calcifications in his patient's panoramic x-ray of one of the carotid arteries and referred the patient to a primary care physician for additional testing, which revealed 80% stenosis. Patients already at risk should share their medical history with their dentist and ask the dentist to be alert to any signs of calcifications that may appear during their regular dental check-ups.

The study was published in the November/December 2004 issue of the General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) clinical journal.

"Dentists are concerned not only with a patient's oral health, but also their overall well-being. If a dentist is aware of the medical history of the patient, he/she can pay close attention to the radiographs and refer patients for follow-up medical care when appropriate,” said Eric Curtis, DDS and spokesperson for the AGD.

If stenosis was found on the radiography, a patient would typically be referred for a carotid duplex ultrasound. The blockage would then be treated in a host of ways: medications including blood thinners, lifestyle modification, and surgery or other interventional procedures.





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University of Rochester Medical Center