Craniofacial and occlusal features of children with sickle cell disease compared to normal standards: a clinical and radiographic study of 50 paediatric patients

Minor physical anomalies including palatal rugae pattern and palatal dimensions in children with sickle cell disease: A cross-sectional analytical study

Background

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common hereditary hemoglobinopathy, which delays growth leading to an altered skeleton and craniofacial pattern. Palatal rugae patterning has been considered the regulator of the development of the palate. The purpose of the research work was to study the morphology of the palate, rugae pattern, and its dimensions in SCD children and compare them with healthy normal children, and to evaluate its role as minor physical anomalies (MPAs).

Methods

A cross-sectional case-control study was designed as per STROBE guidelines. The sample comprised 50 children diagnosed with sickle cell disease (Group SCD) and 50 normal healthy children as control (Group C) belonging to the same age group (10-18 years). Dental impressions were made, followed by the pouring of dental casts. The length of the palatal rugae was measured and categorized into primary (>5 mm), secondary (3 mm-5 mm), and fragmentary rugae (<3 mm). The shape of each primary palatal rugae was identified and categorized as curved, wavy, straight, circular and non-specific. Linear and angular measurements of the palatal rugae patterns and palatal dimensions (width, height, area) were measured and recorded.

Results

The total number of palatal rugae and fragmentary rugae was lesser in Group SCD than in Group C (p < 0.05). The depth of the palate was significantly increased, whereas the area of the palate significantly decreased in Group SCD.

Conclusions

The children with SCD showed distinctive palatal rugae patterns and dimensions when compared with normal healthy children that can be attributed as potential MPAs for sickle cell disease. Children with SCD had an under-developed palatal rugae pattern with a deep, narrow and small palate when compared to healthy children.The dimensions of the palatal rugae pattern in SCD showed reduced distance between the incisive papilla and the first and last rugae, indicating a further decrease in the anteroposterior dimensions of the palate. These findings may aid in the early diagnosis and prevention of malocclusion in children with SCD by appropriate interceptive orthodontic treatment.

Prevalence of orofacial alterations in patients with sickle-cell disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of orofacial alterations in sickle-cell disease (SCD) and to compare it with the general population.

STUDY DESIGN

This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines. The search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, gray literature, and references of the included articles.

RESULTS

A total of 770 records were found, and 28 studies were selected. In SCD, the prevalence of decreased bone density was 57% (95% CI: 35%-80%), with Q: P < .01 and I² = 95%; for stepladder pattern was 30% (IC: 13%-47%), Q: P < .01 and I²: 93%; for delayed eruption was 20% (95% CI: 6%-34%), with Q: P < .01 and I² = 86, Q: P < .01 and I² = 99%; and for malocclusion, 66% (95% CI: 39%-92%), Q: P < .01 and I² = 98%. A high risk of bias was observed in relation to the sample size of the studies. A limited number of articles compared the prevalence of orofacial alterations in patients with SCD and healthy individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

Decreased bone density, malocclusion, orofacial pain, tooth necrosis, eruption delay, periodontal disease, and neuropathies may be present in patients with SCD with variable prevalence.

Orofacial Manifestation and Dental Management of Sickle Cell Disease: A Scoping Review

Aims

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an upcoming global health problem with rapid progress in therapy especially since 2017. However, systematic reviews found no clinical trials on the dental treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD). This article aims to outline the oral features of the sickle disease and discuss oral management strategies that can serve as guidelines for dental professionals. Material and Methods. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. The search strategies were developed to cover publications from January 2010 to March 2020. With the help of keywords, multiple abstracts were identified. These abstracts were further reviewed, which included the information about the SCD manifestation, particularly about the oral health features. Based on all these articles and clinical experience, a narrative review was constructed, which summarizes all the aspects of the oral manifestation in people with SCD.

Results

The results of this study demonstrate that there is distinct evidence available, indicating the developmental enamel defect leading to hypoplasia and increasing susceptibility to dental caries. Another important result of this review found that people with SCD have a vaso-occlusive crisis in the microcirculation in the dental pulp leading to symptomatic and asymptomatic pulpal necrosis without any signs of odontogenic pathology in an apparently healthy tooth. The study also found that early detection, intervention, and prevention are crucial for improving oral health care, and involving a multidisciplinary approach plays an important role in managing people with SCD.

Conclusion

Patients with sickle cell disease have chronic overall health problems. The hematological disorder becomes their main concern and impaired oral health becomes secondary, increasing the risk for dental caries at the most. This paper broadly describes the oral manifestations of SCD, additionally; this paper also provides recommendations for better dental management of patients with SCD. Patients with SCD are often misjudged and, due to lack of knowledge and guidelines, dental providers are not able to provide adequate care. This paper attempts to highlight the essential measures to provide better dental care.

Evidence-based dental management in the new era of sickle cell disease: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an emerging global health issue with rapid progress in therapy especially since 2017. However, systematic reviews found no clinical trials on dental treatment of SCD.

TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED

Using a scoping review approach, the authors examined citations from 13 national SCD guidelines and 10 books spanning 4 decades. The authors also searched the following databases: PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, ScienceDirect, Scientific Electronic Library Online, and GoogleScholar. Eligibility criteria included SCD, oral health care and dental treatment, related to oral and systemic health, original data, or observations.

RESULTS

Systemic treatment of SCD might have opposing effects on caries, perhaps explaining the conflicting results published. Malocclusion correlates with marrow expansion. Other unusual orofacial findings reflect ischemia. Of 86 full-text articles examined, only 1, a Brazilian esthetic dentistry study, was a randomized clinical trial. No disease-specific data were found on risk of developing bacterial endocarditis, safety of inhaled nitrous oxide, safety of epinephrine with local anesthetic, or the benefit of comprehensive oral health care.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

In SCD, oral health and systemic health could be strongly linked. Penicillin, vaccines, and hydroxyurea might impact caries and bone. The interaction of SCD treatments and oral health merit study.