DEVELOPMENTAL DEFECTS OF TEETH IN SURVIVORS OF CHILDHOOD ALL ARE RELATED TO THE THERAPY AND AGE AT DIAGNOSIS

The relation of the therapy used and age at diagnosis to developmental defects of dental enamel and root was analyzed in 45 survivors of chi ldhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and compared to that of age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Chemotherapy alone increased the num ber of enamel defects, but it did not affect the roots. The scattered irradiation of 0.72-1.44 Gy to the dental arches during central nervou s system (CNS) irradiation caused an increased number of developmental defects both in enamel and root. Age at diagnosis is an important fac tor and it showed that the irradiation of 10 Gy did not cause enamel d efects if amelogenesis was complete. In conclusion, the therapy is rel ated to developmental defects of the teeth but the most important fact or is age, both at diagnosis and during the therapy. (C) 1995 Wiley-Li ss, Inc.