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Skeletal and dental fluorosis: two case reports.
1Department of Dental Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Nairobi.
East African Medical Journal
|April 1, 1991
Summary
High fluoride intake from drinking water caused severe dental and skeletal fluorosis in two individuals. Long-term exposure led to significant limb deformities and altered bone structure, with no improvement after surgery.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Skeletal Biology
- Dental Public Health
Background:
- High fluoride concentrations in drinking water are a significant environmental concern, particularly in rural communities.
- Chronic exposure to elevated fluoride levels can lead to various health issues, including dental and skeletal fluorosis.
Observation:
- Two cases from a high fluoride (10 ppm) rural community presented with severe dental fluorosis, tooth hypersensitivity, and skeletal fluorosis.
- Patients exhibited significant upper and lower limb deformities, notably genu valgum (knock knees), with more pronounced effects on lower limbs.
Findings:
- Radiological examination revealed osteosclerosis of axial bones and osteoporosis with cortical thinning in appendicular bones.
- Bone structure changes included osteomalacia and a coarse trabecular bone pattern, with periosteal bone apposition observed.
- Biochemical tests showed elevated serum alkaline phosphatase, normal serum calcium, and inorganic phosphate, suggesting compensatory mechanisms.
Implications:
- These findings highlight the severe health impacts of long-term high fluoride ingestion from drinking water.
- Skeletal deformities may not improve even after corrective surgery if the causative environmental factor persists.
- Public health strategies are needed to mitigate fluoride exposure in endemic areas to prevent debilitating fluorosis.