Need of early dental intervention in vitamin D deficiency rickets

Abstract

Rickets is a disease that affects the growth of a child or individual because of defect in bone mineralization. There is utmost requirement of vitamin D for the proper bone formation and mineralization and any defect in its production and metabolism will lead to development of rickets. Though there is abundance of sunlight, vitamin D deficiency now emerges as a major health problem in the South East Asian population including India. A timely dental consultation and management is critical for prevention of significant oral findings in the affected individuals. Multiple dental abscesses in absence of caries or trauma is one of the most significant dental findings in Rickets. The goal of early intervention in the treatment of rickets is to minimize the late complications of rickets in affected children. The aim of this case report is to discuss about various oral findings of 17 years old boy suffering from rickets and to raise awareness on dental characteristics of this disorder.