Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic systemic disease arisen under the conditions when the body cannot produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively. Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, where the body's defense system attacks the insulin-producing beta-cells in the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes incidence has been rising all over the world, especially under the age of 15 years. There are strong premonitions of geographic difference; however, the overall annual increase in a number of affected population is estimated to be approximately 3%.
Under these circumstances, detailed understanding of the influence of type 1 diabetes on various organs is integrant. The systematic diseases have been seen to have a considerable effect on bone. As such, diabetes also exerts some degree of influence on bone in general. Hyperglycemia or impaired glucose metabolism has a number of detrimental effects on bone metabolism; for example, it is well documented that bone mass decreases and rate of bone fracture risk increases in type 1 diabetes patients. Nonetheless, there are few reports describing the influence of type 1 diabetes on hard tissue in craniofacial region.
From a dental clinical perspective, uncontrolled diabetic condition is thought to be one of the main causative factors of increased risk of inflammation and dental caries that lead to tooth loss and may also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease or preterm birth. However, there are only few reports focusing on type 1 diabetes complication in oral and maxillofacial region. Thus, in this chapter, we summarize the complication of type 1 diabetes in craniofacial hard tissue. Based on our previous data, type 1 diabetes lead to the retardant effects in cranium, mandible, and teeth during early growth period. This information is of critical importance not only for the better understanding of the type 1 diabetes complication in jaw or teeth but also for the development of efficient treatment and prevention of oral diseases in type 1 diabetes patients.