Dental X-rays improved prediction of cardiovascular risk
Adding image scores improved a measure of risk prediction by 2.5–5.5 points compared with age and sex alone across nearly all outcomes studied.
Limit: The study evaluated risk predictions; patient health outcomes were not measured
Edited by Boris Djordjevic · AgingResearch.News
In an observational cohort study, researchers assessed 10,656 patients aged 40–79 who had panoramic dental X-rays. Participants had a mean age of 56, and 46% were male. This group came from a larger cohort of 28,652 patients whose images were linked to Israeli national hospital discharge records.
Researchers used deep learning, a form of artificial intelligence, to predict heart and blood vessel disease from the images. During follow-up, 2,811 participants (26.4%) had a cardiovascular outcome. Adding the image-derived score improved prediction beyond age and sex across nearly all outcomes, including in a separate set of data reserved for testing. The researchers concluded that routine dental imaging may support earlier identification of people at increased cardiovascular risk.
Why it matters
Heart and blood vessel disease is a concern as people age. Images already collected during dental care may offer another opportunity to identify people who need cardiovascular risk assessment.
Caveats
This observational study tested predictions, not whether using them improved health outcomes. Risk assessment covered ages 40–79, the comparison model used only age and sex, and the findings were reported in a congress abstract.
The paper
Prediction of cardiovascular risk from panoramic radiographs using deep learning
KI Research Institute; Tzafon Medical Centre
ESC Congress 2026 Abstract, Oct 26, 2026
Presented at ESC Congress 2026
