Long-term effects of chemotherapy on caries formation, dental development, and salivary factors in childhood cancer survivors.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of chemotherapy on oral health and dental development in childhood cancer survivors (CCS).


METHODS
Ninety-six CCS patients with a mean age of 10.8 years and 96 healthy children of the same age and sex and social background composed the study group. The caries experience of the children was recorded according to the criteria of the World Health Organization, and plaque-gingival status was evaluated according to the Silness-Loe Index. The children were also investigated for stimulated salivary flow rate, buffer capacity, salivary mutans streptococci, and lactobacilli. Disturbances of enamel mineralization were recorded according to the index of developmental defects in dental enamel. Dental development disturbances were diagnosed on panoramic radiographs.


RESULTS
The caries experience, mutans streptococci, and lactobacilli colonization in CCS children were found significantly higher than in the healthy subjects (P < .05). White/cream colored opacities were the most frequent enamel mineralization disturbances (69.8 %). The occurrence of arrested root development with short V-shaped root malformation was significantly higher in CCS children than in the healthy subjects (P < .05). No statistically significant difference was found between group <or=5 years and >5 years.


CONCLUSIONS
This current investigation has shown that CCS children are at an increased risk of caries and developmental dental disturbances.
Avşar
Aysun
A
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Ondokuz Mayis, Samsun, Turkey. aysunavsar@yahoo.com
Elli
Murat
M
Darka
Ozge
O
Pinarli
Güçlü
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D003744:Dental Enamel Hypoplasia / Q000139:chemically induced; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009805:Odontogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D011859:Radiography; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014071:Tooth Abnormalities / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents