title: Oral findings in 50 children with neurofibromatosis type 1. A case control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The scientific literature is poor of data concerning NF1-related oral manifestations in children. The purpose  of this study was to investigate the oral findings in a group of children with NF1.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study  was designed as a clinical research. A total of 50 children affected by NF1 were enrolled. Non-NF1 controls were selected  among subjects referred to the Paediatric Dentistry Department of the Dental Clinic at the University of Brescia, Italy. The  craniofacial and all the dental examinations were carried out. The following parameters were investigated: dental caries,  dental abnormalities, periodontal status, oral and perioral neurofibromas, orthodontic features, mandible and  temporomandibular joint abnormalities. Statistics Unpaired Student's t test was calculated for Gaussian distributed variables;  Fisher's test for non-Gaussian distributed binomial variables was used. The values inferior to p <0.05 (threshold) were  considered significant for the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children with NF1 showed poorer oral hygiene conditions, more frequent  Class III dental malocclusions and severe alterations of the mandible and the temporal mandibular joint, if compared with the  control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NF1 related-oral manifestations are evidenced also during childhood, even if some of the best  known, like the neurofibromas, are not yet developed. It is important to keep a long-term follow-up to monitor the possible  development of other oral lesions.
authors.affiliation: University of Brescia, Dental Clinic, Brescia, Italy. bardalena@libero.it
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bardellini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Amadori
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Flocchini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Piana
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Majorana
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004245:DMF Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007569:Jaw Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000209:etiology*; D008334:Mandible / Q000002:abnormalities; D009456:Neurofibromatosis 1 / Q000150:complications*; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D010512:Periodontal Index; D014071:Tooth Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology*