Gestione della terapia odontoiatrica nel paziente sclerodermico

OBJECTIVES. Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease causing vascular alterations, fibrosis and atrophy that involve oral tissues. The aim of this study is to resume the available literature and to focus on the most important problems for the dentist, in order to plan an appropriate management of patients with scleroderma. MATERIALS AND METHODS. PubMed database was searched using the following keywords: scleroderma, microstomia, oral health. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. Oral manifestations of scleroderma include fibrosis and loss of elasticity of perioral tissues, with consequent reduction of mouth opening, and soft tissue intraoral fibrotic changes. Oral hygiene in these patients is usually impaired due to reduced mouth opening and poor manual dexterity. It is essential that the dentist is aware of the most important signs to plan a customized therapy.