Dental Manifestations of Systemic Disease

Abstract

HomeRadiologyVol. 58, No. 6 PreviousNext EditorialDental Manifestations of Systemic DiseasePublished Online:Jun 1 1952https://doi.org/10.1148/58.6.883MoreSectionsPDF ToolsImage ViewerAdd to favoritesCiteTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked In AbstractIn the current issue of Radiology there appears the last of a series of three articles on the Dental Manifestations of Systemic Disease. In a painstaking study, the author has collected and classified the lesions of the jaws and teeth which indicate to the trained observer the presence of developmental disturbances or generalized disease processes, demonstrating the great importance of dental roentgenography not only to the dentist but also to the clinician and the roentgenologist.The pathological changes which are depicted on the roentgenogram may involve the bony supporting structure, the teeth, and the tooth sockets. Changes in the bony structure of the jaws are often similar or identical to disease changes in the general skeleton, and minimal distortion of the trabecular pattern as revealed on intraoral roentgenograms should lead to a complete study of the other skeletal areas.In the first paper of the series the author calls attention to the fact that the development of the teeth generally conforms to chronologic skeletal development and can be used as an index in determining the approximate skeletal age. He then proceeds to show the dental manifestations of the various endocrine disturbances, citing cases and illustrating them with dental roentgenograms.The second installment concerns developmental disturbances which are manifested orally by faulty dental structure, interference with normal eruption of the teeth, and malocclusion. Most of the conditions which affect dentition are those which primarily involve the skeleton. Rarely the dental defects may be of ectodermal origin, such as ectodermal dysplasia, in the severest form of which there may be total dental aplasia. In advanced cases the dental changes may not be necessary for a diagnosis, but in mild cases they may provide the first clue to recognition of the condition.In the third and current portion of this series, attention is called to the Hutchinson teeth of congenital syphilis, probably one of the earliest characteristic dental defects to be noted. The bone changes in the jaws which are present in some of the reticulo-endothelial diseases are of unusual interest. Paget's disease also produces characteristic changes in the jaws which may be one of the earlier evidences of this condition. Metabolic diseases are manifested both through developmental changes and changes in mineralization. Radiation necrosis of the jaw is, of course, a matter of particular concern to all radiologists.In the April issue of Radiology, there appeared also an article by Robinson and Sarnat devoted to the bone changes in the jaws of 22 patients with sickle-cell anemia. Significant osteoporosis was found in 18 cases in this series.These demonstrations of the relationship between the dental changes shown on the roentgenogram and generalized abnormalities and diseases are of unusual interest.Article HistoryPublished in print: June 1952 FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsRecommended Articles RSNA Education Exhibits RSNA Case Collection Vol. 58, No. 6 Metrics Altmetric Score PDF download