Tetralogy of Fallot: an overview, case report, and discussion of dental implications

Congenital Heart Diseases and Periodontal Diseases-Is There a Link?

An understanding in the field of periodontal medicine explains the fact that the oral cavity serves as a niche for numerous pathogenic microorganisms. When these microorganisms or their by-products disseminate to the various parts of the body, they are capable of triggering diseases characterized by an altered host immune-inflammatory response in the anatomically distinct organ. This mechanism is reported in the propagation of cardiovascular diseases with respect to periodontal medicine. Abundant amount of literature suggests an association between atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and periodontal diseases. However, there is very less data available to highlight the association between periodontal disease and non-atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, such as congenital anomalies of the heart. This review outlines the relationship between periodontal diseases and congenital heart diseases and also helps us understand whether the presence of periodontal disease can worsen the preexisting congenital cardiac disease.

Dental management of pediatric patients affected by pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Congenital Heart Diseases (CHD) involves a wide range of pathological conditions, such as Pulmonary Atresia with Ventricle Septal Defect (PA/VSD). This disorder leads to the systemic circulation of oxygen-poor blood (cyanosis), with associated features and consequences in the oral cavity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Using scoping review methodology for screening and article selection, the primary objectives of this paper were as follows: first, to pose a research question; second, to identify relevant studies in order to answer the research question; third, to select and retrieve the studies; fourth, to chart the critical data, and finally, to collate, summarize, and report the results from the most important articles on the dental management of children affected with PA/VSD. Relevant articles (Randomized Controlled Trials [RCT], reviews, observational studies, and clinical case reports) published over a 10-year period were identified and retrieved from four Internet databases: PubMed; Embase/Ovid; Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar.

RESULTS

By title and abstract screening and after removing duplicates, 24 articles were finally included in the present scoping review. According to the extracted data, the following are the most important clinical issues to be considered when treating children with PA/VSD in the dental setting: prevalence of dental caries; prevention of dental disease (oral hygiene and diet); bacteremia and infective endocarditis risk, and child behavior control and treatment under general anesthesia.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric Dentists should bear in mind that early diagnosis and treatment, together a long-term follow-up of children with PA/VSD, continue to be the best approaches for achieving enhanced patient psychological well-being and, in consequence, their good quality of life.

Tetralogia de Fallot e sua repercussão na saúde bucal

OBJETIVO: Relatar o caso de um paciente com tetralogia de Fallot e sua condição bucal. DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO: Paciente do gênero masculino atendido no Curso de Especialização em Odontopediatria da Escola de Aperfeiçoamento Profissional da Associação Brasileira de Odontologia da seção Paraná dos cinco aos sete anos de idade. O exame clínico intrabucal inicial revelou quadro de cárie severa da infância. Durante o acompanhamento, verificou-se a erupção dos primeiros molares permanentes com a presença de defeitos de desenvolvimento de esmalte e perda de estrutura dental. À anamnese, a mãe relatou que o paciente foi portador de tetralogia de Fallot e que a cirurgia corretora foi realizada com um ano e 11 meses de idade. COMENTÁRIOS: A formação do esmalte dental dos primeiros molares permanentes ocorre a partir do primeiro mês de vida e é finalizada entre dois e quatro anos de idade. Neste caso, tal etapa coincidiu com o período anterior à cirurgia para correção da tetralogia de Fallot, fato que pode ter interferido negativamente no processo de mineralização dos primeiros molares permanentes. Os defeitos de desenvolvimento do esmalte podem levar a perda de estrutura dental, favorecendo o aparecimento da cárie dentária. Dessa forma, o odontopediatra deve realizar um diagnóstico precoce dessas alterações e intervir preventivamente para evitar a perda de tais dentes. Uma anamnese bem detalhada e a maior interação entre pediatras e odontopediatras podem proporcionar melhor acompanhamento de crianças com fatores de risco para apresentar defeitos de desenvolvimento do esmalte dentário.