Drugs and oral disorders

This chapter affirms that drugs and medicaments may have a profound effect on the periodontal structures. In some instances, such as drug-induced melanosis, the effect may be insignificant to the health of the patient. In other circumstances, drug-induced disorders may initiate painful, destructive disease processes that will not be successfully managed unless the causal role of drugs is recognized and altered. Finally, the clinician must remain aware of the contribution of drug-induced xerostomia and smoking to increased susceptibility to dental and periodontal diseases.