Oral Complications of Systemic Sclerosis; A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Systemic Sclerosis is a connective tissue disorder with multi-system involvement. It is an autoimmune disease with multiple aetiological factors including; genetic, birth disorder, infectious and environmental factors. Sclerosis of the skin and systemic fibrotic manifestations are the hallmark of this condition.

Case Presentation : We report a case of a 30-year-old female, who presented to the Periodontology clinic of the University of Benin, Teaching Hospital, Benin City with complaints of breakage of her teeth and previous multiple extractions. Clinical examination revealed multiple carious lesions, retained root, mobile teeth with varying degrees of mobility, tooth wear lesions and gingival recession.

She also presented with extra-oral features which include sparse and fluffy hair, reduced lacrimation, progressively reducing mouth opening and thickening of skin of the forehead, cheeks, and extensor surfaces of the upper and lower limbs

Conclusion: A multidisciplinary management approach, involving the periodontologist, oral surgeons, oral physicians, prosthodontist, rheumatologists, chest physicians and dermatologists, was instituted.

Keywords: Systemic sclerosis, oral complication, case report