Effectiveness of full-mouth and partial-mouth scaling and root planing in treating chronic periodontitis in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the clinical and metabolic effects of full-mouth scaling and root planing (FMSRP) compared to partial-mouth scaling and root planing (PMSRP) in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic periodontitis, and it assessed the impact of the glycemic status on the clinical and metabolic response to periodontal therapy.

METHODS: In this clinical trial, 18 subjects with diabetes received FMSRP in a maximum of 24 hours, and 18 subjects received PMSRP in a maximum of 21 days. Visible plaque accumulation, bleeding on probing, suppuration, probing depth, clinical attachment level (CAL), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were obtained at baseline and at 3 and 6 months post-therapy. Baseline HbA1c values > or =9% and <9% defined subjects with poorly and better-controlled diabetes, respectively.

RESULTS: All clinical parameters improved after therapy (P <0.05). No significant differences were observed between treatment groups for clinical and metabolic parameters at any time (P >0.05). There were no changes in the HbA1c levels after therapy (P >0.05). No subject reported any adverse effects during the study. Individuals with better-controlled diabetes achieved a lower mean CAL at 6 months post-therapy, when FMSRP and PMSRP were evaluated together (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: FMSRP and PMSRP were equally effective in treating chronic periodontitis in subjects with type 2 diabetes, without significant improvements in the glycemic control at 3 and 6 months. Considering the periodontal therapy as a whole (FMSRP plus PMSRP), subjects with better-controlled diabetes exhibited a benefit in CAL at 6 months compared to subjects with poorly controlled disease.