International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology
Volume 16, Issue 15s, 2026

Orthodontics and Cardiovascular Diseases: Exploring Inflammatory and Microbiological Considerations

Dr. Hemanth M1, Dr. Anadha N Gujar2*, Dr. K. Gnana Shanmugham3, Dr. Adarsh S Naik4

1BDS, MDS, PhD, Principal and Head, Dayananda Sagar College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Bangalore

2*BDS, MDS, PhD, Professor, Dept of Orthodontics, Dayananda Sagar College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Bangalore

3BDS, MDS, Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Sree Balaji Dental College, Bharat Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai

4MBBS, MS, F.V.R.S, Associate professor, Dept of Ophthalmology, BGS Medical College and Hospital, Nagarur, Bangalore

Corresponding Author: Dr. Anadha N Gujar, BDS, MDS, PhD, Professor, Dept of Orthodontics, Dayananda Sagar College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Bangalore

ABSTRACT

The significance of oral health in systemic disease is receiving more attention since cardiovascular disease continues to be a major source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although there has been much research on the connection between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disorders, less is known about how orthodontic therapy may affect cardiovascular health. By means of inflammatory, microbiological, and biomaterial-related pathways, such as cytokine release, procedure-associated bacteremia, oral microbiome dysbiosis, and possible systemic exposure to micro- and nanoplastics from orthodontic materials, orthodontic therapy may cause brief systemic biological reactions. Although there is currently little and mostly indirect evidence supporting a direct link between the mouth and the heart, these pathways offer a tenable biological foundation for a possible oral-cardiovascular connection. In a multidisciplinary context, this review summarizes the body of research on orthodontics and cardiovascular health, identifies important molecular pathways, and addresses clinical implications and potential future research avenues.

Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases; Cytokines; Inflammation; Orthodontics; Microbial pathogens.

How to cite this article: Hemanth M, Gujar AN, Shanmugham KG, Naik AS. Orthodontics and Cardiovascular Diseases: Exploring Inflammatory and Microbiological Considerations. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(15s): 905-912. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.15s.101

Source of support: Nil.

Conflict of interest: None