Periodontal status in insulin-dependent diabetic adolescents

A cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the periodontal status of 85 12-18 year-old French adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) and 38 healthy controls in the same age group. The clinical examination consisted of plaque control and gingival inflammation evaluation and probing attachment level. The interproximal marginal bone level was assessed with bitewing radiographs taken on the first molars and on areas presenting an attachment loss over 2 mm. Diabetic children had significantly more gingival inflammation than children without diabetes, in spite of similar plaque scores. No significant relation between gingival condition and age, Tanner's index, HbAlc level or disease duration could be demonstrated. None of the subjects had sites with attachment loss > or = 3 mm or radiographic signs of periodontitis.