Dental characteristics of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

A comprehensive assessment of the dental characteristics of 23 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) was carried out, based on dental records, oral examinations and dental models. Decreasing muscle function was associated with increased plaque and calculus accumulation, leading to gingival inflammation, but caries experience was low. Disturbances in tooth form, number and eruption of the second premolars were observed in 39% of patients. Anterior and posterior open bites were common, associated with lip incompetence, mouth breathing, macroglossia and tongue thrusting. Maxillary and mandibular arch breadths were significantly larger, on average, in the DMD group than in controls. Rather than a normal parabolic arch form, the dental arches in DMD patients tended to be hyperbolic, with the posterior teeth being displaced buccally, consistent with an imbalance between the lingual and facial musculature.