Assessment of alveolar bone loss in diabetic patients with class II composite resin restorations

This study evaluated the impact of Class II composite resin restorations on alveolar bone loss in diabetic patients by comparing those with restorations to a control group without such treatments at the Faculty of Dentistry, Najran University, Saudi Arabia. A total of 64 diabetic patients were divided into two groups: control group G1 (n=32) with no composite resin restorations and test group G2 (n=32) with composite resin restorations. Metrics assessed included plaque index (P.I), gingival index (G.I), HbA1c levels, and alveolar bone loss percentage. Results showed that test group G2 had higher mean values for P.I (2.73 vs. 2.51), G.I (2.53 vs. 2.22), and alveolar bone loss (48.28% vs. 44.16%) compared to control group G1. HbA1c levels were slightly lower in G2 but not significantly different. Significant differences were found in P.I, G.I, and alveolar bone loss between the groups (p-values: 2.767e-06, 2.895e-13, and 3.585e-08, respectively). Diabetic patients with composite resin restorations exhibited poorer oral hygiene, greater gingival inflammation, and increased alveolar bone loss. Enhanced preventive care and monitoring are recommended for these patients. However, clinically, this highlights the importance of careful material selection, enhanced periodontal monitoring, and tailored preventive care to prevent further bone loss and maintain oral health in diabetic patients.