Pathology · single question
Down syndrome — what is MOST CHARACTERISTIC dental/oral finding?
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Correct answer: B. Periodontal disease (PDL disease) — most characteristic
✓ B) Periodontal disease (PDL disease) is the MOST characteristic dental finding in Down syndrome.
Down syndrome oral features: (1) PDL DISEASE is most characteristic — severe early-onset generalized periodontitis disproportionate to local factors, due to immune dysfunction (impaired neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis); (2) Low caries rate (puzzling finding — may relate to late eruption, alkaline saliva, antimicrobial proteins); (3) Relative macroglossia (tongue appears large relative to oral cavity size — actually normoglossic but small oral cavity); (4) Microdontia, hypodontia; (5) Class III tendency; (6) Delayed/ectopic eruption; (7) Taurodontism.
Down syndrome oral features: (1) PDL DISEASE is most characteristic — severe early-onset generalized periodontitis disproportionate to local factors, due to immune dysfunction (impaired neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis); (2) Low caries rate (puzzling finding — may relate to late eruption, alkaline saliva, antimicrobial proteins); (3) Relative macroglossia (tongue appears large relative to oral cavity size — actually normoglossic but small oral cavity); (4) Microdontia, hypodontia; (5) Class III tendency; (6) Delayed/ectopic eruption; (7) Taurodontism.