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Published on: October 27, 2023
Short-term effects of type 1 diabetes on new bone formation after rapid maxillary expansion
Musa Bulut1, Hümeyra Çelik2, Yasin Hezenci1
1Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey.
Introduction:
Given the overlap between the age of onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) and the typical timing of rapid maxillary expansion, this study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of hyperglycemia and insulin treatment on maxillary new bone formation using radiologic and histologic analyses in an experimental rat model.
Methods:
Wistar rats with type 1 DM induced with streptozotocin underwent a 5-day maxillary expansion and 12-day retention procedure (groups: control, DM, expansion, DM + expansion, and DM + expansion + insulin). Bone microstructure was assessed in the maxillae of the sacrificed rats using micro-computed tomography imaging. Then, histopathologic examination was performed to assess new bone and vascular formation and osteoblast density.
Results:
In all expansion groups, new bone formation, osteoblast number, and vascularity were histologically increased compared with the nonexpansion groups (P <0.01). The diabetic expansion (DM + expansion and DM + expansion + insulin) groups have increased bone mineral density, bone volume/trabecular volume, and trabecular thickness. The diabetic expansion (DM + expansion and DM + expansion + insulin) groups have decreased bone surface/volume ratio; trabecular separation was detected compared with the control, DM, and expansion groups, but no difference was detected in tissue volume and trabecular number.
Conclusions:
Although metabolic status does not appear to significantly affect early bone remodeling activity associated with maxillary expansion in type 1 DM, timely intervention remains critical because of reduced bone remodeling capacity.

