Analysis of developmental dental abnormalities in childhood cancer survivors

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine types and prevalence of developmental dental abnormalities in permanent dentition among childhood cancer survivors. Methods: A review of dental records and panoramic radiographs of 104 childhood cancer survivors with a mean age of 14.76 (11.41-18.26) years old who had received anti-cancer treatment at the Department of Pediatric Oncology and Pediatric Dentistry, Yonsei University, was performed. Medical records were collected including cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment modalities. The frequency and types of clinically and radiographically apparent microdontia, tooth agenesis, and abnormal root development were evaluated in this study population. Results: The results showed that 58 (55.8%) childhood cancer survivors had at least one dental abnormality. Among a total of 455 teeth with several dental abnormalities, 244 (53.6%) teeth were diagnosed as abnormal root development and 128 (28.1%) teeth were shown as microdontia. The most common type of teeth affected by microdontia were the maxillary second premolars (n=32), followed by maxillary second molars (n=23). Maxillary second premolars (n=10) and mandibular premolars (n=13) were the most prevalent in survivors with tooth agenesis. Microdontia and tooth agenesis were distributed more in younger childhood cancer survivors (< 3years) whilst abnormal root development occurred more frequently in survivors aged > 5 years. Conclusion: The present study confirms that anti-cancer treatment affects dental development of childhood cancer survivors. The most commonly occurred dental abnormalities were abnormal root development and microdontia of maxillary and mandibular second premolars, and maxillary second molars, especially in young children aged < 3 years at diagnosis.