Disturbances in oral and dental structures in patients with pediatric lymphoma after chemotherapy - A preliminary report

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of chemoth erapy on oral and dental structures and craniofacial growth in 30 survivors of childhood lymphoma. Study design. Eruption status, root malformations, premature apexification, agenesis, crown anomalies, soft tissue abnormalities, gingival and periodo ntal status, enamel defects and discolorations, and craniofacial growth sta tus of the subjects were documented and compared with findings in 20 health y children who served as controls. Results. Statistically significant (P < .05) differences between the study and control groups were found for plaque index, enamel hypoplasias, discolo rations, and agenesis. Conclusions. The results of the study suggest that antineoplastic therapy a nd/or childhood cancer can result in a higher prevalence of various malform ations in teeth. Children treated in the early years of their lives display ed the most severe dental defects, suggesting that immature teeth are at a greater risk of developmental disturbances than fully developed teeth.