THE EFFECT OF PERIODONTAL THERAPY IN DIABETICS - RESULTS AFTER 5 YEARS

The present investigation was performed to study the frequency of recu rrence of periodontitis in diabetic subjects, who, prior to the initia tion of a 5-year period of monitoring, were treated for moderate to ad vanced periodontal disease. 20 patients with diabetes, type 1 (IDDM) o r type 2 (NIDDM) and 20, sex and age matched, controls with similar am ounts of periodontal tissue destruction, were selected for the study. Following a screening examination, all patients were subjected to non- surgical periodontal therapy (oral hygiene instruction, supra- and sub gingival scaling). 3 months later, the baseline examination for the st udy was performed. This included assessments of several parameters suc h as: number of teeth, plaque, gingivitis, probing pocket depth and pr obing attachment level. 6 months after the baseline examination. all 4 0 subjects were recalled for a 2nd examination. Sites which at this 6- month examination exhibited bleeding on probing, and had probing depth >5 mm, were scheduled for additional surgical therapy (modified Widma n flap). Following this selective additional therapy, the main period of monitoring was initiated. During this period, a plaque control prog ram was repeated every 3 months. Re-examinations regarding plaque, gin givitis, probing depth and probing attachment level were performed 12, 24 and 60 months after the baseline examination. The findings from th e examinations disclosed that diabetics and non-diabetics alike, treat ed for moderately to advanced forms of adult periodontitis, during a s ubsequent 5-year period, were able to maintain healthy periodontal con ditions. Thus, the frequency of sites which exibited signs of recurren t disease was similar in the 2 study groups.