Dental anomalies in people living in radionuclide-contaminated regions

The 1986 accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant led to large-scale changes in the environmental situation. The purpose of our study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the morphological states of the dentition of individuals living in regions exposed to radiation to determine the groups at risk for the main classes of dental anomalies. We believe our results will support the development of a differentiated system for dental rehabilitation and follow-up of individuals exposed to radiation. The prevalence rate of dental anomalies was studied in 1,889 patients of both sexes divided by age in accordance with dentition formation stages and by regions of residence in accordance with the ¹³⁷Cs soil-contamination level. A statistically significant decrease was observed in the number of patients with normal dentition for their age among those who had been exposed to prenatal radiation. A sharp increase in combined dental anomalies was revealed in patients who lived in regions with a¹³⁷Cs soil-contamination level ranging from 555 to 1665 GBq/km²; concomitantly, multidirectional fluctuations were observed in the numbers of tooth and occlusion anomalies. Among the examined population, the most severe pathology of the oral organs was found in prenatally irradiated patients (born between April 26, 1986, and April 30, 1987). The prevalence of dental anomalies is interrelated not only with the level of radioactive contamination in the soil of the dwelling area, but also with the age of the surveyed individuals at the moment of the accident.