Short-term changes on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels after non-surgical periodontal treatment in systemically healthy individuals

The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in chronic periodontitis patients and periodontally healthy individuals and to assess the effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment on the CRP levels. Twenty-two patients with chronic periodontitis (test group) and 22 periodontally healthy individuals (control group), both groups without any systemic disorder or potential confounding factors, were included in the study. At baseline, periodontal clinical variables and CRP levels were obtained in both groups. In the test group, oral hygiene instruction and scaling and root planning were carried out; then, after 60 days, periodontal clinical variables and CRP levels were reevaluated. The baseline CRP level in the test group was significantly higher than the corresponding value in the control group (1.98 +/- 1.55 vs. 1.26 +/- 1.05 mg/L; p < 0.05). After periodontal treatment in the test group, there were improvements in all periodontal clinical variables (p < 0.05). The CRP level decreased significantly in those patients with higher baseline levels of CRP (> 3 mg/L). Chronic periodontitis seemed to promote elevated levels of CRP. Furthermore, non-surgical periodontal treatment significantly decreased the levels of CRP only in patients with high baseline levels of such pro-inflammatory cytokine. Periodontitis may be a potential factor to change the risk of CVD. Thus, the control of periodontal infection performed by health professionals may improve cardiovascular health.