Oral considerations in the management of sickle cell disease: a case report

The phenomenon of erythrocyte sickling observed in sickle cell anaemia is responsible for ischaemia and tissue infarction compromising several organs and systems including the mouth and face. This brief paper reports the case of a 17- year-old female with a complicated sickle cell anaemia, hypertension and paraplegia (after an ischaemic stroke at the age of six years). Oral examination revealed the absence of tooth 12, fractures of teeth 11, 21 and 22 (from trauma), active caries lesions in the enamel of teeth 36, 37 and 46, mucosal pallor, and a smooth tongue. Oral radiographs revealed bone rarefaction and trabecular bone coarsening. Dental surgeons and physicians should be aware of the general and oral abnormalities that can be present in individuals with sickle cell anaemia to allow for preventive measures and implementation of effective treatment options.