Downs Syndrome – An Insight to Pediatric Dentistry

Abstract

Down’s syndrome is caused by a chromosomal abnormality and is characterized by physical, mental and medical features with specific oral manifestations. Downs syndrome named after John Langdon Down, the first physician to identify the syndrome, which is the presence of third chromosome 21 or trisomy 21. Downs syndrome is the commonest autosomal chromosomal anomaly with an incidence of 1 in 600 to 1000 live births in all races and economic groups. The number of features such as learning disability, cardiac anomalies and an altered immune system and oral manifestations like early onset of severe periodontal diseases, lower prevalence of dental caries, delayed eruption of permanent teeth, malocclusion, congenitally missing and malformed teeth, hypoplasia of mid facial region, hypodontia, microdontia, macroglossia, fissured and protruded tongue, tongue thrust, bruxism, clenching mouth breathing have a profound effect on oral health condition. The optimum potential of person with Downs syndrome is achieved through the multidisciplinary approach that involves the pediatric dentist from early stages.