Impact of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on the Occurrence of Vertical Root Fracture: A Case Control Study

The aim of this case-control study was to examine the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and the occurrence of VRFs. The crack extension, dentin sclerosis, and chemical characteristics of root dentin in teeth with VRF from patients with/without DM were also compared.

One hundred and thirty-two patients diagnosed with VRF in crowned root filled posterior teeth were selected. The study was conducted in 2 parts. In Part-1: The cases were matched with control teeth (1:1) for age (±5 years), sex, tooth type, apical extent of root filling, time period after root filling to a diagnosis of VRF, presence or absence of intracanal post and abutment status. The presence or absence of type 2 DM (HbA1c > 6.5) was recorded. In Part-2: The extracted teeth with VRF from the case control study were used to evaluate the extension of VRF, presence of sclerotic dentin and isthmus using a microscopic analysis; while the levels of pentosidine, collagen cross-linking ratio and mineral-collagen ratio were determined by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The distribution of DM between cases and controls was analyzed using Pearson Chi-Square test and Odds Ratio estimated. Chemical composition data was analyzed using Mann-Whitney test. The extent of sclerotic dentin was analyzed using Pearson Chi-Square test.

When compared to patients without DM, patients with DM had 2.67 (95% CI: 1.6-4.45) folds higher odds for occurrence of VRF. Pentosidine (P = .014), collagen cross-linking ratio(P = .047), mineral-collagen ratio (P = .009) and sclerotic dentin extent (P = .0009) were significantly higher in patients with DM and VRF.

Type 2 DM was more often associated with VRFs in root canal treated teeth with crowns. Root dentin from patients with type 2 DM and VRF had higher levels of pentosidine, collagen cross-linking ratio, mineral to collagen ratio and sclerotic dentin.