Dental pulp stones—calcified deposits in the tooth pulp—are typically asymptomatic and often go unnoticed. A recent study suggests these findings, along with carotid artery calcifications, may be more common in people with diabetes.
Published on Aug. 4, 2025, in BMC Endocrine Disorders, researchers examined panoramic radiographs of 107 diabetic patients (67 women, 40 men; age range 25–64, mean 49.7) and compared them with radiographs from 300 healthy individuals (196 women, 104 men).
Key findings:
- Carotid artery calcification appeared in 41 per cent of diabetic patients compared with 14 per cent of healthy individuals.
- Pulp stones were found in at least 38 per cent of people with diabetes versus about 21 per cent of those without.
- Diabetic patients were about 2.6 times more likely to have carotid calcifications and nearly twice as likely to have pulp stones.
- People with pulp stones were about 1.5 times more likely to also show carotid calcifications.
Timeline of the study:
The study was conducted between December 2021 and February 2022 at Yazd Dental School in Iran. Diabetic patients were referred for dental examination and panoramic imaging, while healthy controls were randomly selected from the community.
Related: The Fundamentals of Oral & Systemic Health
Related: Is functional dentistry on the rise as mouth to body connection go mainstream?
‘Largely ignored in previous studies’
The study concludes that both carotid artery calcifications and pulp stones are significantly more frequent in individuals with diabetes. The authors suggest panoramic radiographs could help with early detection of vascular changes—potentially prompting timely referral to an endocrinologist to manage cardiovascular risks.
“This study addresses the lack of research on pulp stones and carotid artery calcifications in diabetic patients, a finding that has been largely ignored in previous studies,” the authors wrote. “Examining this population closely provides valuable insights into their unique oral health needs and challenges.”
Related: The Link Between Oral Health And Overall Wellness: Exploring The Latest Research
Limitations
The researchers note their findings are based on a relatively small sample and observational design. The study did not include lipid profiles, diabetes duration or treatment details—factors that could influence calcification risk.
“While this observation suggests a potential link, it does not establish a direct predictive relationship,” the researchers said. “Future studies should stratify diabetic patients, account for treatment regimens, and use longitudinal designs to clarify these associations,” they advised.
