Can dental treatment protect us from heart disease?

INTERVENTION: Eligible patients undergo baseline anamnesis of periodontal disease, microbiological assessment (PCR, 11 putative periodontal pathogens) and blood testing and full medical and dental histories were collected. Then patients are randomly assigned to receive intensive periodontal treatment (treatment group) or community‐based periodontal care (control group). Patients of the control group receive community based periodontal care. Their intensive periodontal takes place three months after diagnosis, i.e. after their study participation. Intensive periodontal treatment is performed by subgingival debridement with curettes and sonic instruments generally in two to four treatment sessions after the initial examination. Each session of subgingival debridement lasted for 1‐2 hours with an interval of one week between treatment appointments. At the beginning of each appointment a simplified plaque score is recorded and appropriate individualized oral hygiene instructions are given. CONDITION: Periodontitis ; Oral Health ; Periodontitis PRIMARY OUTCOME: Platelet P‐selectin surface expression is measured using whole blood from patients and laboratory analysis via flow cytometry before and immediately after treatment and 3 months after. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Platelet aggregation is measured using whole blood from patients and laboratory analysis via light transmission aggregometry before and immediately after treatment and 3 months after. INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Understanding of the study requirements 2. At least one interproximal site with a probing depth = 5 mm and a loss of attachment at = 2 interproximal sites = 5 mm 3. Ages 18 and older