18 July 2023

---

Effects of diabetes on levels, nanostructure of root canal dentin

---

Introduction

This study evaluated the effects of diabetes mellitus (DM) on the nanostructure of root canal dentin using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Methods

Twenty extracted human premolars from diabetic and non-diabetic patients (n=10 in each group) were decoronated and sectioned horizontally into forty 2-mm-thick dentin discs, with each disc designated for a specific test. ICP-MS was used to determine the different elemental levels of Cu, Li, Zn, Se, Sr, Mn, and Mg in diabetic and non-diabetic specimens. HRTEM was used to analyze the shape and quantity of the apatite crystals in diabetic and non-diabetic dentin at the nanostructural level. Statistical analysis was performed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and student’s t-test (p<0.05).

Results

ICP-MS revealed significant differences in trace element concentrations between the diabetic and non-diabetic specimens (p<0.05), with lower levels of Mg, Zn, Sr, Li, Mn, and Se (p<0.05), and higher levels of Cu in diabetic specimens (p<0.05). HRTEM revealed that diabetic dentin exhibited a less compact structure with smaller crystallites and significantly more crystals in the 2500 nm2 area (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Diabetic dentin exhibited smaller crystallites and altered elemental levels than non-diabetic dentin, which could explain the higher root canal treatment failure rate in diabetic patients.

Mohammad Ali Saghiri et al. "Effects of Diabetes on Elemental levels and Nanostructure of Root Canal Dentin." Journal of Endodontics. 8 July 2023. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2023.07.002