Oral and clinical characteristics of a group of patients with Turner syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The loss of the X chromosome in girls with Turner syndrome (TS) affects the shape and the size of craniofacial structures. Few studies have been reported on female patients with TS in South America. Records of odontologic alterations of 23 Argentinian patients with TS were compared with those of 25 girls in a control group, and associations were made with medical indications.

STUDY DESIGN: Oral clinical diagnoses were completed with periapical, occlusal, panoramic, and orthopantomograms; urine and blood determinations were performed by conventional methods.

RESULTS: Blood phosphorus and calcium levels were altered, and osteoporosis was detected. In some patients, TS was associated with autoimmune thyroiditis. Control subjects had normal blood and urine values. The decayed, missing, and filled permanent surfaces index for temporary teeth was statistically higher for the control group. About 78% of the patients had hypoplasia, 65% had reduced root length and bifurcated roots, and 100% had high arch palate. Incisor asymmetry was also observed.

CONCLUSIONS: Medical and laboratory indexes are essentially indicative of hormone alterations. TS patients have a particular oral anatomy that could be closely related to an alteration in calcium and phosphorus metabolism.