Background

Dental anomalies are common late side effects of childhood cancer therapy and may lead to anatomical, functional, and aesthetic sequelae.

Aim

The study aimed to record dental late effects of antineoplastic treatment and associate them with disease and treatment characteristics in order to identify possible risk factors.

Design

Orthopantomograms of 70 survivors aged 4-21 years, who were treated at ages 0-10 years for any type of malignancy and completed antineoplastic treatment at least one year before, were examined. Incidence of developmental disturbances was recorded. Their severity was calculated, and odds ratios for the development of severe defects were estimated.

Results

Root defects presented in 62% of the participants, with impaired root growth being the most common (58%). Increased incidence was associated with combination treatment protocols, irradiation to the head and neck region, and administration of antimetabolites, steroids, and vincristine. Mean DeI value was 17.46 with risk factors for the development of severe root defects being diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, combination treatment protocols, administration of cyclophosphamide and steroids, and hemopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Conclusions

Root defects are common among childhood cancer survivors, with their incidence and severity being affected by multiple disease and treatment characteristics.