Diabetes mellitus in pathogenesis of periodontal diseases

摘要

A survey of the epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies has shown the periodontal disease to be more frequent in the patients suffering from uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and to progress more rapidly in this group of subjects affected by the disease. In a large number of type 1 diabetics, alveolar bone resorption begins as early as puberty, progressing with aging. Gingival tissue inflammation was also demonstrated to be more markedly present in these patients. The following pathogenetic mechanisms could possibly be responsible for a more intensive and faster destruction of the periodontal tissues: impaired protective mechanisms primarily involving diminished phagocytosis and chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, an altered microbiological flora in the periodontal pockets, an impaired metabolism of collagen, and vascular changes.