Early dental management of patients with Mobius syndrome.

OBJECTIVE(S): The aim of this study was to evaluate the orofacial manifestations in patients with Mobius syndrome (MS), establish an early adequate dental treatment and discuss the possible etiology of all cases examined based on information about the gestational intercurrences.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Special Care Dentistry Center, School of Dentistry, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Subject(s) and methods: Twenty-nine patients with MS aged 0 to 4 underwent prospective dental examination as well as early orthodontic treatment.

RESULTS

All patients presented micrognathia, lack of lip seal, high arched palate and weak soft palate. The use of orthopedic appliances was recommended to all 29 patients, but only 13 adhered to treatment and were monitored for at least 24 months. We observed that, after 24 months of treatment, the palate was expanded and micrognathia became less severe in the majority of the cases. Pregnancy-related complications were reported by 27 (97%) of the 29 mothers.

CONCLUSION(S): The early use of orthopedic appliances was important to prevent malocclusion and glossoptosis. Attempted abortion with misoprostol is associated with an increased risk of MS in infants.