A routine dental appointment turned life-saving for a Cobb County man after local dentists identified a serious health risk.
Mike Strawn visited Kennestone Dental Designs for a standard checkup. During a panoramic X-ray, dentist Dr. Nicole Massetti noticed what appeared to be calcium buildup on his carotid artery, a potentially dangerous sign.
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“She looked at it and told me, ‘It looks like you have some calcium on your carotid artery,’” Strawn recalled. “She encouraged me to see my doctor immediately. Her serious look made me take it seriously.”
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The carotid arteries supply blood to the brain, face, and neck. Further testing revealed that Strawn’s artery was 75 to 80 percent blocked. Strawn, who had a zero calcium score on a heart scan just two years prior, said he never expected such a finding. He has since undergone successful surgery to clear the blockage.
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Dr. Massetti said while dentists cannot officially diagnose conditions from panoramic X-rays, they can identify suspicious areas and advise patients to seek further evaluation. Her systematic approach ensures no potential danger zones go unnoticed. “Anywhere from 2 to 5 percent of patients might have these types of calcifications,” she noted.
Strawn shared photos of his procedure with Massetti, an emotional moment for the dentist. “I teared up seeing that he had made it through and everything is okay,” she said.
Dr. Tom Wells, a general internist with Piedmont Healthcare in Athens, emphasized the value of collaboration among healthcare providers. “Communication and teamwork help ensure patients receive timely care,” he said, noting the importance of routine preventive screenings by both primary care providers and dentists.
Strawn credits the attentive care he received at the dental office with potentially saving his life.