Genetic craniofacial aberrations

Marfan Syndrome: oral implication and management

Marfan's Syndrome is a multisistemic pathology of connective tissues, a dominant autosomal transmission, first discovered by a French pediatrician, Antoine Bernard-Jean Marfan, who first found in some of his patients a disproportionate alteration of inferior infertility. This alteration was caused by the mutation of the FBN1 gene, located on the long arm of the chromosome 15, which encodes for an extracellular matrix protein, fibrin-1. Later it was discovered that the disease could occasionally be due also to the mutation of the TGFBR2 gene, which encodes for a TGF-beta receptor 1. The estimated incidence of the disease is 2-3 subjects affected every 10,000, in the absence of predilection ratial, ethnic, geographic and gender. It is believed that some 15,000 people in Italy suffer from Marfan Syndrome. The disease is characterized by a wide range of clinical manifestations that affect different organs. The study evaluates through a literature review the manifestations in the oral cavity of the marfan syndrome and the correct management of the patient during dental maneuvers.

Association between Oro-Facial Defects and Systemic Alterations in Children Affected by Marfan Syndrome

BACKGROUND

It is important to establish an early diagnosis of the Marfan Syndrome (MFS) for providing an adequate pharmacological or surgical therapy. Nevertheless, this diagnosis may be complex, given the multi-organic involvement of this disease.

AIMS

In this work, we evaluated the oral phenotype in a group of paediatric patients with a clinical diagnosis of MFS, to quantify the association of the oro-facial defects with other systemic alterations.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Paediatric subjects who were aged, with a clinical diagnosis of MFS, were selected from our regional Marfan monitoring unit.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

All the patients were subjected to Paediatric Dentistry examinations and a radiological screening with Panoramic and Cephalometric X-Rays. The aortic dilation (Aortic Z-score value), the hyperlaxity of the ligaments and scoliosis were evaluated by cardio-surgical and orthopaedics specialists.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The correlations between the oral and systemic alterations were analyzed by using the chi square test for the nominal variables.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

We found a significant correlation of the Aortic Z - score with multiple oral defects which included retrognathia, malar hypoplasia, cross bite, oral respiration and an ogival palate. An association of the oral defects with hyperlaxity of the ligaments and scoliosis was also found. Thus, the data suggested that dentists should be more involved in a multidisciplinary approach, to provide an early MFS diagnosis in paediatric patients.

Marfan Syndrome—An Orthodontic Perspective

Marfan syndrome is a heritable disorder of connective tissue that can affect the heart, blood vessels, lungs, eyes, bones, and ligaments. It is characterized by tall stature, elongated extremities, scoliosis, and a protruded or caved-in breastbone. Patients typically have a long, narrow face. A high-arched palate produced by a narrow maxilla and skeletal Class II malocclusion due to mandibular retrognathia are other common features. For a patient with no family history of the disorder, at least three body systems must be affected before a diagnosis can be made. Individuals affected by the syndrome routinely seek orthodontic treatment to correct the orofacial manifestations. In this report, the authors present the records of three patients with Marfan syndrome who were treated at a dental school. Two patients had severe periodontal disease in the absence of significant contributing local factors. The presentation of systemic symptoms and typical physical characteristics varied. The syndrome thus went unnoticed in one patient for many years. We discuss here the observed intraoral findings and the progress of orthodontic treatment to provide a brief overview of the challenges involved in treating such patients.

Functional role of periostin in development and wound repair: implications for connective tissue disease

Integrity of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for maintaining the normal structure and function of connective tissues. ECM is secreted locally by cells and organized into a complex meshwork providing physical support to cells, tissues, and organs. Initially thought to act only as a scaffold, the ECM is now known to provide a myriad of signals to cells regulating all aspects of their phenotype from morphology to differentiation. Matricellular proteins are a class of ECM related molecules defined through their ability to modulate cell-matrix interactions. Matricellular proteins are expressed at high levels during development, but typically only appear in postnatal tissue in wound repair or disease, where their levels increase substantially. Members of the CCN family, tenascin-C, osteopontin, secreted protein acidic rich in cysteine (SPARC), bone sialoprotein, thrombospondins, and galectins have all been classed as matricellular proteins. Periostin, a 90 kDa secreted homophilic cell adhesion protein, was recently added to matricellular class of proteins based on its expression pattern and function during development as well as in wound repair. Periostin is expressed in connective tissues including the periodontal ligament, tendons, skin and bone, and is also prominent in neoplastic tissues, cardiovascular disease, as well as in connective tissue wound repair. This review will focus on the functional role of periostin in tissue physiology. Fundamentally, it appears that periostin influences cell behaviour as well as collagen fibrillogenesis, and therefore exerts control over the structural and functional properties of connective tissues in both health and disease. Periostin is a novel matricellular protein with close homology to Drosophila fasciclin 1. In this review, the functional role of periostin is discussed in the context of connective tissue physiology, in development, disease, and wound repair.

Malposition of Unerupted Mandibular Second Premolar in Children with Cleft Lip and Palate

Objective: To determine whether distoangular malposition of the unerupted mandibular second premolar (MnP2) is more frequent in children with unilateral clefts of the lip and palate.

Materials and Methods: This retrospective study examined panoramic radiographs from 45 patients with unilateral clefts of the lip and/or palate who had no previous orthodontics. A control sample consisted of age- and sex-matched patients. The distal angle formed between the long axis of MnP2 and the tangent to the inferior border was measured. The mean, standard deviation, and range were calculated for the angles measured in the cleft and the control groups. The significance of the differences between the means was evaluated by the paired t-test. The angles of the cleft and noncleft sides were also measured and compared.

Results: The mean inclination of the MnP2 on the cleft side was 73.6°, compared with 84.6° in the control group. This difference was highly significant statistically (P < .0001). The difference in angles from the cleft and noncleft sides was 0.7°, not statistically significant. A significant association was found between clefting and distoangular malposition of the developing MnP2, suggesting a shared genetic etiology. This association is independent of the clefting side, ruling out possible local mechanical effects.

Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware of the potential for anomalous development of MnP2 in children with clefts.

Genetische Störungen der Zahnentwicklung und Dentition

Die Zähne sind Organe, die aus ektodermalen epithelialen Aussackungen im Bereich des 1. Kiemenbogens entstehen, gesteuert von epitheliomesenchymalen Interaktionen. Dabei spielen zahlreiche Signalmoleküle speziell der 4 großen Familien TGF-β, FGF, Hedgehog und WNT sowie diverse Transkriptionsfaktoren eine Rolle. Eine Beteiligung der Retinoide an der Odontogenese ist durch umfangreiche Befunde belegt, auch wenn die Inaktivierung relevanter Gene in Mausmodellen meist keine Zahnanomalien verursacht. Die Zahnentwicklung wird klassischerweise in verschiedene Stadien eingeteilt: Entstehung der Zahnleiste, der Zahnknospe, der Schmelzkappe, der Schmelzglocke, die Wurzelbildung und der Zahndurchbruch. Anomalien der Zahnentwicklung können isoliert oder gemeinsam mit anderen Symptomen im Zusammenhang mit Syndromen auftreten. Sie können genetisch bedingt sein oder unter Einwirkung teratogener Stoffe während der Bildung und Mineralisierung der Zahnkeime zustande kommen. Dentibukkale Entwicklungsanomalien treten im Kontext seltener Erkrankungen auf und finden zunehmend Beachtung, da sie bei bestimmten Erkrankungen in der Diagnostik und als prädikative Faktoren wichtige Anhaltspunkte geben können. Allerdings ist hierfür eine interdisziplinäre und internationale Kooperation notwendig, die bislang erst in Ansätzen verwirklicht wurde.

Periodontal attachment loss over 14 years in cleft lip, alveolus and palate (CLAP, CL, CP) subjects not enrolled in a supportive periodontal therapy program

OBJECTIVES

(i) To assess the overall and (ii) cleft-associated rate of periodontal disease (PD) progression in subjects with cleft lip, alveolus and palate (CLAP) and (iii) to compare these rates with those of subjects with cleft lip (CL) and cleft palate (CP).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-six subjects not enrolled in a supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) program were examined in 1979, 1987 and 1993. PD progression was assessed as increase in pocket probing depth (PPD in mm) and probing attachment loss (PAL in mm).

RESULTS

Extensive plaque accumulation and high frequencies of gingival units bleeding on probing were observed at all three examinations. A statistically significant increase in mean PPD of 0.57+/-0.21 mm (SD) in both groups as well as a statistically significant loss of PAL of 1.85+/-0.23 mm (SD) in the CLAP group and of 1.72+/-0.21 mm (SD) in the CL/CP group occurred over the observation period (p<0.05). In subjects with CLAP, statistically significant increases in PPD and loss of PAL were recorded over time at sites adjacent to the cleft as well as at control sites (p<0.05). Over 14 years, however, PPD increased 1.72+/-1.08 mm (SD) at cleft sites versus 0.72+/-1.14 mm (SD) at control sites (p<0.05), and PAL amounted to 3.19+/-1.35 mm (SD) at cleft sites versus 2.41+/-1.52 mm (SD) at control sites (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Both the CLAP and the CL/CP subjects are at high risk for PD progression if no SPT program is provided. This also suggests that alveolar cleft sites in subjects with high plaque and gingival inflammation scores underwent more periodontal tissue destruction than control sites over a 14-year period.

Oral manifestations of patients with Marfan syndrome: a case-control study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to conduct a complete analysis of the oral abnormalities of patients with Marfan syndrome.

STUDY DESIGN

Twenty three patients with Marfan syndrome and 69 healthy controls were studied. The subjects were screened for cariologic and periodontal alterations, as well as structural defects of enamel and dentin. Data analysis was performed by using the t test, the chi-square test, and regression models.

RESULTS

Patients aged 0 to 17 years were significantly at risk for caries. Local hypoplastic enamel spots were more frequent in Marfan syndrome and could be related to caries history of the deciduous dentition. Root deformity, abnormal pulp shape, and pulpal inclusions were a frequent finding in patients with Marfan syndrome. Calculus and gingival indices were significantly higher in the study group as well.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows the importance of early diagnosis of oral anomalies and timely treatment of dental problems in Marfan syndrome. A series of therapeutic guidelines to be integrated in treatment strategies is proposed.