With Phenotypic Signs of Connective Tissue Dysplasia: Cross-Sectional Clinical Study

Background. The dental health is an integral part of a person's well-being. Students of higher educational institutions comprise a health risk group, since they experience extensive physiological changes and personal socialization. The impact of connective tissue dysplasia on dental health is a relevant research task.

Objective. To analyze the correlation between dental pathology and phenotypic signs of connective tissue dysplasia in first-year students.

Methods. A cross-sectional clinical study of the dental health and phenotypic signs of connective tissue dysplasia was conducted as part of routine dental examination of 263 first-year students of KubSMU, aged 18–23. All participants were divided into 2 groups: group 1 – participants with 0-2 signs of connective tissue dysplasia (n = 108); group 2 – participants with 3 or more signs of dysplasia (n = 155). Statistical analysis of the results was carried out using Microsoft Excel 2010 and Statistica 6.0.

Results. Unsatisfactory and poor oral hygiene levels in the group of participants with connective tissue dysplasia outnumber these levels in the control group by 30% and 22%, with very poor level in the second group 2.3 times higher (p ≤ 0.05). The incidence of noncarious tooth pathology in individuals with dysplasia is 26% higher than in the control group. The caries intensity index in group 2 is almost 20% bigger than in the control group. As expected, the group of participants with no signs of dysplasia revealed better periodontal health, namely 51.85% versus 45.81% (p ≤ 0.05). In terms of mucosal pathology, a statistical significant difference between groups 1 and 2 was noted for traumatic injuries (16.35% and 19.35%, respectively). Dentofacial abnormalities were observed more often in individuals with 3 or more phenotypic signs of connective tissue dysplasia.

Conclusion. Higher morbidity rate of caries and noncarious pathology in the group of first-year students with 3 or more phenotypic signs of connective tissue dysplasia, compared to the group with 0–2 phenotypic manifestations of dysplasia, indicated the need to create a database of the dentofacial profiles of students, develop an algorithm for regular medical check-up of students, as well as provide differentiated preventive and therapeutic measures for students with dysplasia.