Nearly all individuals with SAS have dental abnormalities. Most common are delayed teeth eruption, large, protruding front teeth and missing teeth. Dental crowding arises from insufficient jawbone for all teeth; also due to the abnormally shaped palate and sometimes a small lower jaw (micrognatia). Sometimes the roots of the teeth are shorter than usual (taurodontism). Bruxism or teeth grinding may appear, leading to enamel erosion.
Management:
Oral hygiene (teeth brushing) and getting used to dental visits are important from an early age. A centre or department for special care dentistry may be beneficial if regular dental care doesn’t suffice. For some children and adults, general anesthesia is the only way to have dental procedures done. Braces have been used successfully by several children with SAS.
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