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[Chemotherapy and dental growth]
L Nawrocki1, P Libersa, B Poissonnier
1Service d'odontologie, CHRU de Lille, France.
Bulletin Du Cancer
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Chemotherapy significantly impacts the growth speed of children's mandibular molars. Mineralization accelerates post-treatment, with molar development eventually normalizing to healthy population averages.
Area of Science:
- Paediatric Oncology
- Dental Development
- Chemotherapy Effects
Background:
- Chemotherapy can affect various aspects of child development.
- Dental development, specifically tooth formation, may be susceptible to oncological treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively evaluate the impact of chemotherapy on the development of the mandibular second right molar in children.
- To compare tooth growth during and after chemotherapy treatment.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 17 paediatric oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy.
- Orthopantomograms were used to measure crown and root length every 6 months for 18 months.
- Growth rates were compared between periods with and without chemotherapy.
Main Results:
- A significant difference in the growth speed of both crown and root length was observed between periods with and without chemotherapy.
- Mineralization rates showed a significant increase towards the end of chemotherapy treatment.
- Post-treatment development approached the average figures of a healthy population.
Conclusions:
- Chemotherapy significantly alters the growth dynamics of the mandibular second right molar in children.
- The observed acceleration in mineralization suggests a recovery or catch-up growth phase after treatment cessation.
- Mandibular molar development in treated children can normalize, indicating potential resilience in dental structures.