Bulimia nervosa: dental perspectives

Bulimia nervosa and bulimic behavior are among the most common eating disorders, affecting up to 13% of female college students. Most health professionals are aware of the compulsive overeating, self-induced vomiting, and laxative abuse associated with this disease; yet, only a small proportion of affected patients are ever diagnosed, generally only after years of abuse. Since the dental changes observed in most bulimics are recognizable and usually undeniable, the clinician should be aware of the oral and maxillofacial changes of this disease in order to arrive at an early diagnosis. Without successful treatment, an estimated 1 in 300 bulimic cases will have a fatal outcome. Even with treatment, one-third of affected individuals suffer early relapse and half of them do not consider themselves cured after 5 years of psychologic therapy. The learning objective of this article is to discuss the dental and psychologic features of this disorder, with focus on the differential diagnosis and treatment of the oral manifestations.