Diabetes mellitus and osteomyelitis of the jaws

ABSTRACT

The Diabetes Mellitus is a prevailing medical condition worldwide [6%] and also in Pakistan. Infection in the orofacial wounds of these patients is common. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of diabetes mellitus on the healing process of alveolar sockets/bone after tooth removal. Eighteen diabetic patients with chronic jaw bone infections were examined and managed in oral and maxillofacial surgery department of de, Montmorency College of Dentistry, Lahore from 2009 to 2013. All patients gave history of tooth extraction about two months earlier. Orthopantomograph [OPG] were used to confirm the diagnosis. Fourteen patients [77.77%] were on oral hypoglycemic agents, four did not know their diabetic status, four patients [22.22%] were on intermediate acting insulin. All patients were managed under general anesthesia for involucrum sequestrectomy followed by primary closure. One insulin dependent patient with radiated lower jaw developed osteomyelitis after tooth extraction and was also on bisphosphonate medication followed by breast cancer surgery. This patient was operated twice to resolve the osteomyelitis of the lower jaw in follow up six months. It was concluded that diabetes effects the healing of sockets after tooth removal