The role of specific enamel defects in celiac disease diagnosis

Abstract:

Celiac disease is a common disease, which in most cases remains unrecognized due to atypical symptoms. Early identification of patients with specific dental enamel defects and their referral to the gastroenterologist might help in early diagnosis of celiac disease and prevention of malignant tumours and other celiac disease-related complications. Specific or systematic dental enamel defects associated with celiac disease had to be symmetrically, bilaterally and chronologically distributed in all four quadrants of dentition. They include enamel hypoplasia, enamel opacities and enamel discolorations, which are all usually found on the incisors. Specific dental enamel defects are strongly associated with the HLA DR3. Dentists need to recognize these defects and pay special attention to patients with increased risk of celiac disease. 

Key words:
celiac disease; dental enamel; early diagnosis; incisor