Dental Pulp Changes Observed in a Patient on Long-term Corticosteroids

Abstract

Journal of Hard Tissue Biology 16[1] (2007) p31-35 © 2007 The Society for Hard Tissue Regenerative BiologyPrinted in Japan, All rights reserved. CODEN-JHTBFF, ISSN 1341-7649 Original 31Abstract: We encountered a patient on long-term oral corticosteroids for systemic lupus erythematosus, who did not complain of pain during caries treatment. Since the patient had no subjective sense of dental pain, all her remaining teeth became stumps, and total tooth extraction was conducted 25 years after presentation. We examined her premolar stumps histopathologically and obtained the following findings: 1. the dental pulp was narrowed in nearly all samples; 2. odontoblasts were not observable; 3. regions with dentinal tubules forming lamellae and regions with fibrotic dentinal tubules were observed. 4. fibrosis of the entire dentin was observed in some regions. 5. nerve fibers stained by anti-neurofilament protein antibody were observed in the dental pulp cavity, but the nerve fibers appeared degenerate and no nerve fiber endings were observed.

Generalized pulp canal obliteration in a patient on long-term glucocorticoids: a case report and literature review

“…The incidence of GCs’ adverse reactions depends on the dose and, to a greater degree, the duration of treatment [ 28 ]. One possible side effect of GC therapy in the dental field is extensive narrowing of dental pulp [ 19 ].…”

“…In addition, long-term use of GCs has been correlated with calcification of the dental pulp, and a few related clinical reports have been reported [ 6 , 18 , 19 ]. According to Chigono et al [ 19 ], a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus was taking oral GCs for a long time.…”

“…In addition, long-term use of GCs has been correlated with calcification of the dental pulp, and a few related clinical reports have been reported [ 6 , 18 , 19 ]. According to Chigono et al [ 19 ], a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus was taking oral GCs for a long time. They examined the patient’s premolar stumps histopathologically and found that nearly all samples had constricted dental pulp and found no odontoblasts.…”

Effect of Long-term Corticosteroids on Dental Pulp

“…14 Gradual narrowing of the dental pulp leads to deterioration of blood circulation resulting in poor nutritional state in the dental pulp cavity, growth factors cannot exhibit their function, odontoblast regeneration becomes impossible leading ultimately to repair by fibrous component alone. 8 The effect an altered hormonal level due to steroid administration is very complex and very little of the mechanisms of reactions in the teeth are known.…”