Risk factors for abnormalities in the permanent dentition:
(1) age of stem cell transplant <= 5 years of age, especially if <= 3 years of age
(2) use of total body irradiation (TBI) to prepare the patient for the SCT
In theory, radiation administered to the maxilla or mandible could affect developing teeth, but none of the patients in the study received
Most permanent teeth are in their mineralization phase in children <= 5 years of age. Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy given before the tooth is mineralized can result in destruction of the tooth germ, resulting in agenesis. Therapy given after mineralization starts can result in microdontia.
Children 6-10 years of age had defects in the third molars since mineralization of the teeth occurs late (up to 9-10 years of age).
Impact of defects affecting the non-third molar dentition:
(1) difficult mastication
(2) cosmetic impairment
Defects in the third molars alone do not result in functional impairment.
