Dental diseases in subjects with beta-thalassemia major.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether beta-thalassemia major is associated with an increase in the severity of periodontal disease and dental caries. A total of 61 thalassemia patients and 63 healthy controls (age range = 6-18 years) were examined for plaque deposits, gingivitis, periodontitis and dental caries using Silness and Löe plaque index (Pl.I), Löe and Silness gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD) and DMFT, respectively. There were no significant differences in Pl.I, GI and PPD scores between both thalassemia patients and healthy control groups (P > 0.05). Dental caries was significantly higher in thalassemia patients group (P < 0.0001) compared to the healthy controls. Thalassemia is not associated with increased levels of gingivitis or periodontitis but is associated with higher dental caries experience.