Healing of apical periodontitis in type II diabetes mellitus patients: A prospective study

This study aimed to compare the healing of periapical bone between type II diabetes patients and healthy patients after root canal treatment.

This study included 26 diabetic patients and the control group with healthy patients matching the diabetic group in age and sex. The study included only teeth with satisfactory coronal restoration. The periapical index system was used to evaluate the periapical status of treated teeth at follow-ups after 6 and 12 months.

Analysis of the results revealed a significantly higher healing rate in the control group compared to the diabetic group only at the 6-month follow-up (66.6 vs. 33.3%; Χ² = 4.857; p = 0.0275). Analysis of the full-scale PAI index disclosed significantly higher PAI values in the diabetic subjects at 6- and 12-month follow-up. The regression analysis showed that the risk of apical periodontitis persistence increased significantly with female gender (OR = 3.92; 95% CI = 1.04-14.79; p = 0.043), diabetes mellitus (OR = 4.27; 95% CI: 1.18-15.50; p = 0.027) and higher household income (OR = 5.39; 95% CI = 1.33-21.89; p = 0.018).

Root canal treatment remains an effective means of conservative treatment in diabetic patients. While the healing is not compromised, regular follow-ups are necessary to monitor the healing process.