CBCT ASSESSMENT OF POSTERIOR‑MANDIBULAR BONE DENSITY IN WELL‑CONTROLLED TYPE 2 DIABETES: AN ANALYTICAL CROSS‑SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Objective: Implant success hinges on recipient‑site bone quality, which systemic diseases like diabetes may impair. Diabetes alters bone metabolism, lowering bone mineral density, promoting osteopenia, and elevating fracture risk, potentially jeopardizing osseointegration. Using cone‑beam computed tomography (CBCT), this study assessed how well‑controlled diabetes influences radiographic bone density in the posterior mandible. Materials and Methods: Cone‑beam CT scans from 48 adults scheduled for posterior mandibular implants were retrospectively analyzed. Cancellous bone density at the planned osteotomy sites was measured in Hounsfield units (HU) with Romexis software. Patients were divided into well‑controlled diabetics (HbA1c 6.1–8%, n = 24) and non‑diabetic controls (n = 24). Mean HU values were analysed with independent‑samples t‑tests for diabetes status, sex, and dichotomised age (56 or less vs more than 56 years). Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The cohort comprised 26 men (54.2 %) and 22 women (45.8 %) with a mean age of 56.3 years. Mean cancellous density did not differ between diabetic and control groups (p = 0.199) and was independent of sex (p = 0.207) and age (p = 0.511). Conclusion: With good glycemic control, diabetic patients show the same cancellous bone density in the posterior mandible as non‑diabetic patients, indicating that effective diabetes management prevents trabecular bone changes at planned implant sites.