Background: The literature suggests that an alteration in glucose metabolism occurs as a result of antibacterial periodontal therapy. The objective of this study was to monitor the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).
Methods: Thirty type 2 DM subjects with periodontitis were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 (G1), 15 subjects, received one-stage full-mouth scaling and root planing (FMSRP) plus amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 875 mg; group 2 (G2), 15 patients, received only FMSRP. At baseline and after 3 months, the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values, fasting glucose, and clinical parameters (with computerized probing and individualized acrylic stents) were recorded. Following therapy, the subjects were enrolled in a 2-week interval maintenance program for 3 months.
Results: After treatment, both groups showed clinical improvements. A probing depth (PD) reduction of 0.8 +/- 0.6 mm (P < 0.05) occurred in G1 and 0.9 +/- 0.4 mm in G2 (P < 0.05), but there were no significant changes in attachment level. Treatment reduced the HbA1c values after the 3-month observation period in both groups; however, the reduction in HbA1c values for the G2 group was statistically significant, but not for the G1 group. The changes in fasting glucose levels were not significant for either group.
Conclusions: Periodontal therapy improved glycemic control in patients with type 2 DM in both groups; however, the reduction in HbA1c values reached statistical significance only in the group receiving scaling and root planing alone [correction].