CRANIOFACIAL ABNORMALITIES AND MALOCCLUSION FINDINGS IN SICKLE CELL DISEASE RELATED TO ETHNIC-RACIAL POPULATIONS: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Abstract

Introduction: sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inherited, hematological, chronic disease that mostly affects racial/ethnic groups. The dental literature discusses  SCD’s oral symptoms, such as malocclusion and craniofacial abnormalities, without considering the significance of a racial/ethnic perspective. Objective: this article critically reviewed the findings of the studies based on a racial/ethnic standpoint and SCD landmarks. Sources of data: primary and secondary searches selected 146 studies from four scientific literature databases. Two reviewers independently extracted data from eleven included studies. Synthesis of data: most studies used lateral cephalometry and reported craniofacial abnormalities and malocclusions, such as maxillary protrusion, class II skeletal patterns, vertical facial growth patterns, convex facial profile, mandibular retrusion, and the posterior rotation of the jaw. However, there is no mention of racial or ethnic cephalometric patterns to support these findings in the studied populations. In addition, a misunderstanding occurs when overlooking the different periods of growth or ages within and between the studied groups. Furthermore, there is no mention of previous orthodontic treatment. By contrast, there is a lack of information about the medically compromised health status of people with SCD, such as the life period of SCD’s diagnosis; the number and timing of blood transfusions; the medical history of hospitalizations, vaso-occlusive crises, or hydroxyurea use. Conclusion: racial and ethnic concerns for the diagnosis of malocclusions and craniofacial anomalies, as well as SCD landmarks, are underappreciated in the examined dental literature. Discarding them also demonstrates institutional racism.