[Morphologic characteristics of dental cuticle on teeth affected by diabetic periodontitis].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the nature of the dental cuticle found on teeth with diabetic periodontitis.

METHODS

Thirteen permanent teeth which were extracted from three diabetic patients with periodontitis were studied, with the control group of 16 healthy teeth extracted for orthodontical reasons, then all the teeth were decalcified with 5% nitric acid, stained with HE, and examinated by using light microscope.

RESULTS

A layer of thick coat, dental cuticle, covered the root surface of the teeth with diabetic periodontitis, and the cuticle which presented regular laminar structure extended from the cementoenamel junction to the apical portion with different thickness from 40 to 80 microns, but no such similar cuticle structure was found on the healthy teeth of the control group.

CONCLUSION

There is abnormal cuticle structure on the teeth of diabetic patients with periodontitis.