An exploratory study to understand the relationship between diabetes and various pulpal conditions: An Indian perspective

Abstract

Aim: Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects an estimated 100 million Indians, ranking second globally in diabetic prevalence. Despite this, the correlation between DM and specific pulpal diagnoses remains underexplored. This study compares pulpal conditions in DM patients and nondiabetic controls.

Designs: The study was started after taking ethical approval.

Subjects and methods: Two thousand and five hundred and sixty teeth were examined over 4 months at the institute, evenly distributed between diabetic and nondiabetic cases, we assessed diagnoses - normal pulp, reversible pulpitis (RP), symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis, pulp necrosis (PN), missing teeth (MT), and root canal-treated teeth (RCT). Statistical analysis used the Chi-square test.

Results: PN and MT prevalence in DM patients significantly exceeded the control group. Conversely, the control group showed higher RP prevalence in the older subgroup.

Conclusions: PN prevalence was higher in diabetics, suggesting reduced pulp sensitivity in individuals over 60 years. This diminished sensitivity might lead to delayed dental treatment, increasing PN prevalence.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; missing teeth; pulp diagnosis; pulp necrosis; pulpitis.