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Root resorption associated with mandibular bone erosion in a patient with scleroderma
Maria Antonia Zancanaro de Figueiredo1, Jose Antonio Poli de Figueiredo, Stephen Porter
1Oral Medicine Unit, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, London, United Kingdom.
Journal of Endodontics
|December 25, 2007
Summary
Scleroderma can cause rare mandibular bone erosion and external apical root resorption of teeth, specifically tooth #17. This case highlights a potential link between scleroderma
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Rheumatology
- Pathology
Background:
- Scleroderma is an autoimmune connective tissue disorder causing vascular and fibrous changes.
- These changes can affect mucocutaneous surfaces, viscera, and potentially the jawbone.
- Dental manifestations in scleroderma are not uncommon, but specific patterns of bone erosion are rare.
Observation:
- A patient with scleroderma presented with rare mandibular bone erosion.
- Dental panoramic tomogram revealed erosion of the left ramus, inferior border, and coronoid process.
- External apical resorption of the mandibular left third molar (tooth #17) was observed.
Findings:
- A unique association between mandibular bone erosion and external apical root resorption of tooth #17 was identified.
- This co-occurrence has not been previously reported in medical literature.
- The observed resorption coincided with the mandibular erosive process.
Implications:
- Suggests scleroderma-induced tissue changes can directly impact dental structures.
- Increased physical pressure from tightened facial tissues in scleroderma may contribute to root resorption.
- Highlights the importance of dental monitoring in patients with scleroderma for early detection of rare complications.
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