Relationship Between Occlusal Features and Enzyme Replacement Therapy in Patients With Mucopolysaccharidoses

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the relation between occlusal features and enzyme replacement therapy in patients with mucopolysaccharidoses. A cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample consisted of 20 patients with mucopolysaccharidoses, 10 of whom were undergoing treatment at a hospital in northeast Brazil. Occlusal features were evaluated by clinical examination and panoramic radiography. A structured questionnaire was administered to evaluate the dental care of each patient. Pearson χ2, Fisher exact, and Mann-Whitney tests were used for data analysis, with a level of significance of 5%. Marked overjet (75%) and anterior open bite (70%) were the most frequent occlusal alterations, and 15% had Class III disorders. Radiography visualized the presence of impacted teeth (75%) and prolonged retention of deciduous teeth (65%). Patients with enzyme replacement therapy had a lower average maximum protrusion (P=.033). A total of 75% of mothers said they had not been advised to take their children to the dentist and 10% of children had never been to the dentist. Patients with mucopolysaccharidoses exhibited notable occlusal alterations, especially marked overjet and anterior open bite. Enzyme replacement therapy seems to influence the maximum protrusion of patients.