Oral Health in a Group of Celiac Patients: A Clinical and Radiographic Study

Aim: To assess oral health in a group of celiac disease (CD) patients including their oral mucosal, dental and periodontal findings , and pertinent radiographic measurements. Material & Methods: The test group included 52 CD patients and 30 age and gender matched healthy controls. Intra-oral hard , soft tissue and periodontal examination, including recording of plaque index (PI), papillary bleeding index (PBI), and probing pocket depth (PPD), were performed. Panoramic radiographs were taken, with recording of mandibular cortex width (MCW), mandibular cortex index ( MCI: cortical shape) , and panoramic mandibular index (PMI). Results: CD patients had significantly more enamel defects and aphthous-like ulcers than controls. PI scores did not reveal any significant difference between test group and controls; whereas PBI and PPD scores were significantly higher in CD patients. In CD patients, no correlation was found between studied periodontal parameters, whereas PI was correlated to PBI and PPD in healthy controls. Osteoporotic changes were detected in the body of the mandible in CD patients as evidenced by decreased MCW and PMI scores, and higher number and percent of MCI C2 and C3 scores. Conclusions: Oral findings and panoramic imaging may be helpful in early diagnosis of CD patients. Key Words : Celiac. Enamel hypoplasia. Osteoporosis. Aphthous. Panoramic radiograph.