Dental disorders in patients recovered from malignant neoplasms in childhood

Abstract

During the development of the bodyʼs homeostatic systems, anticancer drugs and radiation affect both tumor cells and healthy tissues. Damage to tissues with low potential for restorative functions, such as teeth, leads to a high probability of irreversible changes. The purpose of this literature review is to provide information on dental defects resulting from anticancer treatment. The most common anomalies in the development of teeth include a violation of the number, size, shape, mineralization of teeth, defects of dentin and enamel. The effect of a number of chemotherapeutic drugs has been studied in animal models and include a deficiency and thinning of the roots of the teeth. Irradiation leads to a wider spectrum of dental pathology: the integritation of the teeth changes, craniofacial dysmorphism, post-radiation mandibular hypomobility, damage to the salivary glands, the risk of developing osteoradionecrosis. The extent and severity of these effects depends from the child's age type of tumor and the radiation dose. The stage of tooth development is critical. Patients who received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) before the age of 3 have a higher risk of dental disorders and anomalies in the development and growth of the face. Radiation therapy plays a leading role in the formation of caries. The study of the long-term effects of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, HSCT on the development of dental complications is of interest to identify the most vulnerable groups of patients in order to ensure the possibility of early intervention and improve the quality of life.