Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Neurofibromatosis 1 and dental caries

  • Short Communication
  • Published:
Clinical Oral Investigations Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A total of 110 patients with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) were evaluated for their dental health. Appropriate cohorts from national Finnish databases were used as reference. The results showed that NF1 patients presented lower rate of caries compared to controls in age groups under 35 years. The differences between NF1 patients and the reference population diminished by age. In conclusion, (1) NF1 per se does not predispose to caries; and (2) even if NF1 had an adverse effect on dental health, poor outcome can be counteracted with good personal dental care supported by well organized primary health care. The results of the present study are important to report since a common anecdotal perception is that the rate of caries may be higher in NF1 compared to reference population.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Kaufmann D (2008) Neurofibromatoses. Karger, Basel

    Google Scholar 

  2. Kuorilehto T, Pöyhönen M, Bloigu R, Heikkinen J, Väänänen K, Peltonen J (2005) Decreased bone mineral density and content in neurofibromatosis type 1: lowest local values are located in the load carrying parts of the body. Osteoporos Int 16:928–936

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Stumpf DAJ, Annergers J, Brown S, Conneally P, Housman D, Leppert M, Miller J, Moss M, Pileggi A, Rapin I, Strohman R, Swanson L, Zimmersman A (1988) Neurofibromatosis. Conference statement. National Insitutes of Health Consensus Development Conference. Arch Neurol 45:575–578

    Google Scholar 

  4. Crawford AH, Schorry EK (1999) Neurofibromatosis in children: the role of the orthopaedist. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 7:217–230

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Friedrich RE, Giese M, Schmelzle R, Mautner V-F, Scheuer HA (2003) Jaw malformations plus displacement and numerical aberrations of teeth in neurofibromatosis type 1: a descriptive analysis of 48 patients based on panoramic radiographs and oral findings. J Cranio-maxillo-facial Surg 31:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Visnapuu V, Peltonen S, Ellilä T, Kerosuo E, Väänänen K, Happonen RP, Peltonen J (2007) Periapical cemental dysplasia is common in women with NF1. Eur J Med Genet 50:274–280

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. WHO (1979) A guide to oral health. Epidemiological investigations, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  8. Nordblad A, Suominen-Taipale L, Rasilainen J, Karhunen T (2004) Oral health care at Health Care Centres from 1970s to the year 2000. National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES), Reports 278, Helsinki, ISBN 951-33-1549-1555

  9. Suominen-Taipale L, Nordblad A, Vehkalahti M, Aromaa A (2004) National Public Health Institute. Publications of the National Public Health Institute, ISBN 0359-3576

  10. Tucker T, Birch P, Savoy DM, Friedman JM (2007) Increased dental caries in people with neurofibromatosis 1. Clin Genet 72:524–527

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Research was financially supported by The Academy of Finland (JP), Turku University Hospital EVO grants (JP; R-PH), and The Finnish Medical Foundation (SP). The technical assistance of Ms. Kirsti Timonen, Ms. Flora Notach, and Ms. Taru-Maija Peltonen is greatly acknowledged. We thank Mr. Jan Korpelainen for carrying out the statistical analyses.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland

    Vivian Visnapuu & Juha Peltonen

  2. Department of Dermatology, University of Turku, Turku University Central Hospital, P.O. BOX 52, 20521, Turku, Finland

    Sirkku Peltonen & Juha Peltonen

  3. Department of Oral Diseases, Turku University Central Hospital, Lemminkäisenkatu 2, 20520, Turku, Finland

    Vivian Visnapuu & Risto-Pekka Happonen

  4. Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Lemminkäisenkatu 2, 20520, Turku, Finland

    Kaisu Pienihäkkinen & Risto-Pekka Happonen

Authors
  1. Vivian Visnapuu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kaisu Pienihäkkinen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sirkku Peltonen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Risto-Pekka Happonen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Juha Peltonen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vivian Visnapuu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Visnapuu, V., Pienihäkkinen, K., Peltonen, S. et al. Neurofibromatosis 1 and dental caries. Clin Oral Invest 15, 119–121 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-009-0341-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-009-0341-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation