UC study concludes that dental infections are harder to treat in patients with diabetes

^{Translation by Diana Taborda}

A study conducted by a team from the Institute of Endodontics of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra (FMUC) shows that Diabetes hinders the healing process of maxillary bone infections due to the changes in the development of new blood vessels and consequent deficiency of blood irrigation.

The research team, led by Professor Manuel Marques Ferreira, analysed the success of endodontic treatments performed in diabetic patients between 2015 and 2021, and compared it with the results obtained in non-diabetic patients.

The team also carried out a study on the evolution of infections in maxillary bones and the possible mechanisms involved in this process, in diabetic and non-diabetic mice.

This research aimed to understand the connection between endodontic treatment and diabetes mellitus as well as changes in the angiogenic process. According to the authors of the study, Endodontics is a branch of dental medicine dedicated to treating diseases "that affect the internal part of the tooth, nerves and blood vessels, or prevent and treat maxillary bone infections caused by trauma or dental cavities, through the clinical procedure known as tooth devitalisation".

The results obtained "reveal the influence that untreated cavities and the consequent bone infections have on the population's health, particularly in patients suffering from systemic diseases such as diabetes," says José Pedro Martinho, FMUC professor and member of the team, which also includes Ana Coelho, Salomé Pires, Margarida Abrantes, Siri Paulo, Ana Catarina Carvalho, Eunice Carrilho, Miguel Marto, Maria Filomena Botelho and Paulo Matafome.

The study, named "Impairment of the angiogenic process may contribute to lower success rate of endodontic treatments in diabetes mellitus", was recently awarded the "First Overall Best Scientific Presentation" prize at the "12th IFEA World Endodontic Congress 202ONE" of the International Federation of Endodontic Associations, which took place in India.