Abnormal root development, probably due to erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)

A case report is presented of a patient in whom nearly all teeth of the permanent dentition still present had short roots, while some teeth had never been formed at all. It may be concluded from the typical differences in length between the roots of the various teeth that this condition must be due to complete cessation of the growth of the teeth at the age of 7 or 8 years. Since the patient suffered a fulminant attack of erythema multiforme (STEVENS-JOHNSON syndrome) at this age, and since no other possible explanation of the short roots has been found, it is concluded that this clinical condition may have been the reason for the short root anomaly found. Damage or even destruction of the epithelial root sheath during the disease may be assumed to be the direct cause of the failure of full root development.