Microdontia after chemotherapy in a child treated for neuroblastoma

OBJECTIVE: Chemotherapy used on paediatric oncology patients often causes disturbances in dental development. Aim of this case report is to present the late effects of chemotherapy on dental development in a patient treated for neuroblastoma at early age. DESIGN: Case report. RESULTS: This paper presents a female patient treated at early age with surgery and chemotherapy for a neuroblastoma (stage IVS) in the right thorax and massive liver metastases. The examination of the patient at age 11.7 years showed microdontia of six teeth. In three of them size and form of the crown were affected, while in the other three the size was reduced but the form was not affected. CONCLUSIONS: Chemotherapy on children treated for neuroblastoma can adversely influence tooth development. This has to be taken into consideration by the dentist when monitoring the development of the dentition and occlusion.