Benefits of non‐surgical periodontal treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic periodontitis: A randomized controlled trial

Background Periodontitis and diabetes are highly prevalent conditions whose association has long been recognized. Objective To evaluate the effect of non‐surgical periodontal treatment on serum HbA1c (haemoglobin A1c or glycated haemoglobin) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Research Design and Methods This was a 6‐month, single‐masked, randomized clinical trial based on 90 patients (HbA1c: 7.7% (61 mmol/mol) ± 1.13%) who were randomly assigned to either the treatment group (oral hygiene instructions + scaling and root planing using ultrasound and Gracey curettes) or the control group (oral hygiene instructions + supragingival removal of plaque and calculus using ultrasound). Pocket depth, gingival index, and plaque index were assessed at baseline and after 3 and 6 months together with determinations of fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, and bacterial counts. Results Treatment significantly improved the periodontal and metabolic parameters (p