Alveolar bone loss in type 1 diabetic subjects

Aim, background: The aim of this study was to assess the degree of marginal alveolar bone loss in a group of young subjects with type 1 diabetes melli tus (DM) (n = 35, age range 24-36 years) and age-matched non-diabetic contr ol subjects (n = 10). Method: The diabetic group was divided into 3 subgroups (D1, D2, D3) accord ing to the severity of the diabetic state. The level of alveolar bone was m easured on panoramic radiographs of maxillary and mandibular molars as the % of the distance between the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) and the bone cr est along the total length of the root. All mesial and distal sites with a distance of >15% (BL>15%) were picked, and calculations were performed usin g the individual %s of sites with BL>15%. Results: Based on the present findings, we conclude that type 1 DM has a mo difying effect on marginal loss of alveolar bone. A clear trend towards inc reased marginal bone loss was seen in the subjects with complicated DM (D3) . The subjects with good metabolic control and no complications of DM (D1) are no more susceptible to marginal bone loss than non-diabetic controls of the same age. Conclusions: The present findings confirm our previous results on increased loss of periodontal support in subjects with complicated DM already at an early age.