Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Periodontal therapy improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetes

Last updated July 18, 2026

Key finding

The difference in glycated hemoglobin levels between baseline and two months after non-surgical periodontal therapy was statistically significant in the total sample (p=0.045).

This study explored the impact of non-surgical periodontal therapy on glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes and periodontitis, finding a significant reduction in HbA1c levels.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Short-Term (≤3 mo)

Risk of bias

Some Concerns

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Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This study explored the impact of non-surgical periodontal therapy on glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes and periodontitis, finding a significant reduction in HbA1c levels.

Clinical relevance

Improving glycemic control is crucial for individuals with type 2 diabetes, as it can reduce the risk of complications associated with the disease. This study suggests that addressing periodontal health may be an effective strategy for enhancing diabetes management, highlighting the interconnectedness of oral health and systemic conditions.

Keep in mind

The study design was non-randomized, which may affect bias. Sample size and characteristics limit generalizability of findings. No significant changes were observed in fasting plasma glucose or C-reactive protein.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Rafael PEL, Karolina SSV, Pierre GBDS, Luís OMC, Fernando OC. Periodontal intervention may contribute to improved glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and periodontitis. Journal of Applied Oral Science. 2025;33:e20250121. doi:10.1590/1678-7757-2025-0121

Main Effects

HbA1c levels decreased by 0.13% (p=0.045) after treatment.

Probing depth reduced by 0.38 mm, indicating improved periodontal health.

Gingival inflammation decreased, showing better oral health outcomes.

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Non-surgical periodontal treatment and C-reactive protein, Clinical attachment level, Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), and 3 more.

Primary intervention

Non-surgical periodontal treatment

Primary outcomes

  • C-reactive protein
  • Clinical attachment level
  • Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

6
Evidence pairs
6
Relationships
3
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

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Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 72

3

Related topics

6

Evidence pairs

613

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 6 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 3 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

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Primary evidence

Evidence topic

Glycemic Control

matched_outcome

Related evidence

Evidence topic

HbA1c Reduction

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Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

C-reactive protein

Non-surgical periodontal treatment → C-reactive protein

Non-surgical periodontal treatment → C-reactive protein

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
81
Strong
ImpactScore™
70
Positive
ConsistencyScore™
35
mixed
Supporting studies: Based on 5 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Clinical attachment level

Non-surgical periodontal treatment → Clinical attachment level

Non-surgical periodontal treatment → Clinical attachment level

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
84
Strong
ImpactScore™
76
Positive
ConsistencyScore™
75
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 10 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

Non-surgical periodontal treatment → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

Non-surgical periodontal treatment → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
100
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 2 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

HbA1c

Non-surgical periodontal treatment → HbA1c

Non-surgical periodontal treatment → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
84
Strong
ImpactScore™
70
Positive
ConsistencyScore™
56
generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 10 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Periodontal probing depth

Non-surgical periodontal treatment → Periodontal probing depth

Non-surgical periodontal treatment → Periodontal probing depth

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
83
Strong
ImpactScore™
85
Positive
ConsistencyScore™
90
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 11 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Reduction in gingival inflammation after non-surgical periodontal therapy

Non-surgical periodontal treatment → Reduction in gingival inflammation after non-surgical periodontal therapy

Non-surgical periodontal treatment → Reduction in gingival inflammation after non-surgical periodontal therapy

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • HbA1c decreased significantly by 0.13% after therapy.
  • Probing depth improved by 0.38 mm, indicating better gum health.
  • Gingival inflammation showed a notable reduction post-treatment.
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
  • Individuals experiencing periodontitis.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • Results are based on a non-randomized study design.
  • Findings may not apply to populations outside the study sample.
  • Further research is needed to confirm long-term effects.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • The study design was non-randomized, which may affect bias.
  • Sample size and characteristics limit generalizability of findings.
  • No significant changes were observed in fasting plasma glucose or C-reactive protein.

Evidence Library

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Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

This study contributes to evidence on Non-surgical periodontal treatment and Clinical attachment level, Non-surgical periodontal treatment and HbA1c.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Non-surgical periodontal treatment improve clinical attachment level?

Strong Evidence

Non-surgical periodontal treatment may improve Clinical attachment level.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Clinical attachment level

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 84.4 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026

Does Non-surgical periodontal treatment improve HbA1c?

Strong Evidence

Non-surgical periodontal treatment may improve HbA1c.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    HbA1c

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 83.6 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026

Does Non-surgical periodontal treatment improve periodontal probing depth?

Strong Evidence

Non-surgical periodontal treatment may improve Periodontal probing depth.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Periodontal probing depth

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 83.4 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026

Does Non-surgical periodontal treatment improve c-reactive protein?

Strong Evidence

Non-surgical periodontal treatment may improve C-reactive protein.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are mixed and should be interpreted cautiously.

Evidence caveat: The available evidence reports mixed findings.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    C-reactive protein

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 81.1 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Mixed | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is cautious because the available studies report mixed findings.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026
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