Evaluation of Micronutrient (Zinc, Magnesium, and Copper) Levels in Serum and Glycemic Status after Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Chronic Periodontitis

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To find out the effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on serum zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), and copper (Cu) concentration and glycemic status in type 2 diabetes with chronic periodontitis (CP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients were included in this study, which was further divided into three groups. Group 1 consisted of forty patients with CP, Group 2 consisted of forty patients of CP with controlled diabetes, and Group 3 consisted of forty patients of CP with uncontrolled diabetes. Periodontal parameters such as plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, pocket depth, and clinical attachment levels (CALs) were evaluated. Blood samples were collected to assess the levels of fasting blood sugar, glycosylated hemoglobin, Zn, Mg, and Cu. All parameters were evaluated at baseline and 3 months after nonsurgical periodontal therapy. RESULTS: The results showed statistically significant reduction in all the clinical parameters within the groups except for the CAL in group 1 patients (P = 0.05). The glycemic status also showed a statistically significant reduction after treatment (P < 0.001). The intragroup comparison was taken between the values of micronutrients, showed substantial increase in the levels of both Zn and Mg and decrease in the level of Cu after nonsurgical periodontal treatment (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with diabetes and periodontitis had altered metabolism of Zn, Mg, and Cu contributing to the progression and complication of diabetes mellitus and periodontitis. Nonsurgical periodontal treatment improved the variation and concentration of plasma micronutrients and also the periodontal status and glycemic level.