THE IMPACT OF ANATOMICAL CHARACTERISTICS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ORAL MUCOSAL DISEASES IN CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME

BACKGROUND: Dental treatment plays a big role in improving the health and quality of life of children with Down syndrome. These children need rationally organized additional dental treatment by different specialists and systematic medical observation. The high incidence and prevalence of periodontal disease in children with Down syndrome are caused by anatomical features of cranial development. OBJECTIVE: pattern identification between anatomical characteristics and development of oral mucosal diseases in children with Down syndrome. METHODS: The study included 24 patients with Down syndrome. They were registered at the Department of Pediatric Dentistry of the Tver Dental Polyclinic (Russia). The age of the patients was from 2 to 13 years old. RESULTS: 59.5% of patients had a missing nasal bone. 58% of children had an arched palate. 65% of children had oral breathing type due to macroglossia and weak temporomandibular joint muscles. It can be the reason for the development of inflammatory oral mucosal diseases. The children with Down syndrome often have stomatitis and gingivitis, which develops into chronic periodontal diseases. 62% of children had the creased tongue at the age of 4 years. Down syndrome has a high prevalence of maxillofacial anomalies of up to 76%. It contributes to the formation of plaque on the teeth and caries. It often leads to damage to the rudiments of permanent teeth. The prevalence of periodontal disease in children with Down syndrome is associated with severe hypotonia of the masticatory muscles up to 87%. CONCLUSION: Pediatric dentists focus on the features of the dental status of children with Down syndrome, taking into account the relationship of pathological processes in the maxillofacial area and somatic pathology. Specialists in pediatric dentistry must understand the importance of early prevention, which can reduce the risk of developing cavities and periodontal disease in children.