According to a recent article, the results of a new study shows that patients that are diagnosed with Marfan syndrome and an aortic aneurysm or dissection are at a higher risk of getting periodontal disease.
Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder that affects the connective tissues in the body, which are the fibers that support and anchor the organs and other structures in the body, most commonly, the heart, eyes, blood vessels, and skeleton. Because of this nature of the disease, the biggest threat of Marfan syndrome is damage to the aorta.
Cause
Marfan syndrome is caused by a defect in a gene that enables the body to produce a protein that helps give the connective tissue its elasticity and strength. This abnormal gene is inherited from a parent who has the disorder, but in some cases, the new mutation can develop spontaneously in a patient. There are no additional risk factors for developing Marfan syndrome.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of Marfan syndrome vary greatly, from mild to life-threatening, even among patients in the same family. The characteristic features of Marfan syndrome include:
- Tall and slender build
- Disproportionately long arms, legs, and fingers
- Protruding or dipping breastbone
- High, arched palate and crowded teeth
- Heart murmurs
- Extreme nearsightedness and other eye complications
- Abnormally curved spine
- Flat feet
Periodontal diseases are mainly the result of infections and inflammation of the gums and bone that surround and support the teeth. In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums can become swollen and red, and they may bleed. In its more serious form, called periodontitis, the gums can pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or even fall out. Periodontal disease is mostly seen in adults. Periodontal disease and tooth decay are the two biggest threats to dental health.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Bad breath or bad taste that won’t go away
- Red or swollen gums
- Tender or bleeding gums
- Painful chewing
- Loose teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
- Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Any change in the fit of partial dentures
The Study
Researchers wanted to test if there was a relationship between patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS), an aortic aneurysm or dissection, and periodontal disease. To do so, they looked at 14 participants, all of whom were divided into three groups: those who had MFS and an aortic aneurysm or dissection that were going to get an aortic surgery (3), those with MFS and had already had an aortic surgery (4), and those who were healthy, also known as the controls (7).
The Results
Each patient in the study was evaluated at their first visit, then again after two months, and then finally at six months. The initial saliva examinations of the patients showed no startling differences between the three groups, and this pattern continued at the two-month and six-month marks. However, the MFS group that was planning on getting an aortic surgery did prove to have a higher BOP (bleeding on probing tests) and PISA (periodontal inflamed surface area) at their first and last examinations. In addition, the patients in the group that had MFS and had already undergone an aortic surgery demonstrated improvements in their LVDd and EF values (markers of cardiac function) at their two-month and six-month evaluations.
Researchers thus concluded that there is a higher risk of periodontal disease in patients who have MFS that is associated with an aortic aneurysm or dissection. Therefore, those patients must be more careful of their oral hygiene. This includes brushing their teeth on a regular basis, flossing regularly, seeing their dental hygienist on a regular basis, and undergoing frequent professional teeth cleanings.
