An experimental drug that mimics an insulin-regulating hormone could rebuild bone, and perhaps advance treatment for Type 2 diabetics.
By David Levin
Illustration: Stuart Bradford
Almost half of adults over age 30 in the United States have periodontal disease. In most cases, a few visits to the dentist take care of the problem. In patients with Type 2 diabetes, however, gum disease is extremely difficult to treat, because systemic inflammation can cause it to spread unchecked, leading to tooth loss and massive erosion of jawbone.
“Diabetic patients have a much higher chance of developing periodontitis than the rest of the…