title: The impact of the new scene drug "crystal meth" on oral health: a case-control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of methamphetamine (MA), a highly addictive stimulant, is rapidly increasing, with MA being widely abused as the scene drug "Crystal Meth" (CM). CM has been associated with severe oral health effects, resulting in so-called "Meth mouth". This term appeared for the first time in 2005 in the literature and describes the final complex of symptoms including rampant caries, periodontal diseases and excessive tooth wear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic CM abuse on teeth and intraoral tissue with respect to potential symptoms of Meth mouth.
  
  
  METHODS
  In cooperation with two centres for addiction medicine, we performed clinical intraoral investigations in 100 chronic CM users and 100 matched-pair controls. We undertook a caries and periodontal examination by using the clinical parameters DMF-T/DMF-S, bleeding on probing index (BOP) and periodontal screening index (PSI) and tested individual oral hygiene by using approximal space plaque index (API). All clinical data were analysed by the t test for independent samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found significantly larger numbers of caries (p < 0.001) and higher levels of gingival bleeding (p < 0.001) and periodontal disease (p < 0.001) among CM users. Oral hygiene was significantly lower in CM users (p < 0.024).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic CM use can lead to extensive potential damage within the intraoral cavity. When CM is used over a long period of time and in the absence of treatment, clinical symptoms in terms of Meth mouth syndrome cannot be excluded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on our results, we recommend a specific prevention and therapeutic concept including educational campaigns for MA users and specialized dental care for CM patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Munich University of Technology, Ismaninger Str. 22, D-81675, Munich, Germany. rommel@mkg.med.tum.de.
authors.forename: Niklas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rommel
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Munich University of Technology, Ismaninger Str. 22, D-81675, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Nils H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Rohleder
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medical Biometry, Epidemiology and Medical Informatics, University of Saarland at Homburg/Saar, Kirrberger Straße 100, D-66424, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wagenpfeil
authors.affiliation: Department of Addiction Medicine, Hospital for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatic Medicine, and Neurology, Nordring 2, D-954, 44 Bayreuth, Germany.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Härtel-Petri
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Munich University of Technology, Ismaninger Str. 22, D-81675, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Munich University of Technology, Ismaninger Str. 22, D-81675, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Klaus-Dietrich
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Wolff
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Munich University of Technology, Ismaninger Str. 22, D-81675, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Marco R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kesting
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000633:toxicity*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D057085:Tooth Wear / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine
keywords: Caries; Crystal methamphetamine; Meth mouth; Oral hygiene; Periodontal diseases; Prevalence study