The effect of periodontal treatment on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background, aims: This study was designed to explore the effect of periodon tal therapy on glycemic control in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus (D M). Methods: 36 patients with type 2 DM (treatment group) received therapy for adult periodontitis during an Is-month period. A 36-person control group wa s randomly selected from the same population of persons with type 2 DM who did not receive periodontal treatment. Results: These groups were well matched for most of the parameters investig ated. During the nine-month observation period, there was a 6.7% improvemen t in glycemic control in the control group when compared to a 17.1% improve ment in the treatment group, a statistically significant difference. Severa l parameters that could confound or moderate this glycemic control were exp lored. These included the treatment of non-dental infections, weight and me dication changes. No moderating effect was associated with any of these var iables. However, there were too few subjects in the study to have the stati stical power necessary to assess these possible moderators of glycemic cont rol. Conclusions: We interpret the data in the study to suggest that periodontal therapy was associated with improved glycemic control in persons with type 2 DM.