AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightEarly detection of these changes may support clinical decisions such as implant planning and allow radiographic monitoring of the systemic effects of diabetes on bone.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this study was to compare radiomorphometric indices and fractal dimension (FD) values on dental panoramic radiographs (DPR) among systemically healthy controls, patients with well-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and patients with poorly controlled T2DM. Methods: A total of 210 individuals were allocated equally into three groups (n=70 each): healthy controls, well-controlled T2DM (HbA1c ≤7%), and poorly controlled T2DM (HbA1c >7%). Radiomorphometric analysis on the DPRs included the mandibular cortex width (MCW), Panoramic Mandibular Index (PMI), Gonial Index (GI), and Mandibular Cortex Index (MCI), together with FD analysis based on the box-counting method applied to four regions of interest. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, the Kruskal-Wallis test, the independent samples t-test, the Chi-square/Fisher’s exact test, and Spearman correlation analysis, as appropriate. Results: The mean FD, MCW, GI, and PMI values in the poorly controlled group were significantly lower than those of the control group, and the mean FD and MCW values in the well-controlled group were significantly lower than those of the control group (p<0.05 for all). The mean FD and GI values were significantly lower in the poorly controlled group than in the well-controlled group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Higher HbA1c levels were associated with changes in the mandibular radiomorphometric indices and FD values of patients with T2DM, although the inverse correlation between HbA1c and FD was weak and observed only in the well-controlled group. Early detection of these changes may support clinical decisions such as implant planning and allow radiographic monitoring of the systemic effects of diabetes on bone.