Dental Management

Good oral hygiene is essential, along with regular dental check-ups. Patients may also need orthodontic and possibly oral surgical care. Careful planning from an
early age can lead to successful aesthetic results and help prevent more serious dental problems in the future. The prevention of bacterial endocarditis is always
important because of the high incidence of heart valve involvement and abnormalities of the great vessels in Marfan syndrome. Therefore antibiotic prophylaxis is
mandatory for any invasive dental procedure such as scaling or tooth extraction. The possibility of a bleeding tendency has been noted in some individuals with
Marfan syndrome, and this should be taken into consideration when planning any surgery. Patients with Marfan syndrome also have a higher mortality risk
associated with general anesthesia.

Conclusion
In summary, the clinician must be aware of all the problems associated with treating a patient with Marfan syndrome.
Prevention of tooth decay, with regular check-ups and careful forward planning, will reduce the need for more
elaborate and potentially dangerous procedures.

References

Staufenbiel, I., Hauschild, C., Kahl-Nieke, B., Vahle-Hinz, E., von Kodolitsch, Y., Berner, M., &
Rahman, A. (2013). Periodontal conditions in patients with Marfan syndrome--a multicenter case control study. BMC Oral Health, 13(1), 59-71. doi:10.1186/14726831-13-59.
Bentley, P. (2013). Marfan syndrome: biological basis and genetics. British Journal Of Cardiac
Nursing, 8(6), 284-288.
D Hayes, R., Nithiyananthasothy, D. (2014). Provide Comprehensive Care for Patients with
Marfan Syndrome. Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, volume 12, number 6.
Glover, D., & Spiers, C. (2013). Examination of a case of suspected Marfan syndrome. British
Journal Of Cardiac Nursing, 8(10), 499-503.
Morales-Chavez, M., & Rodriguez-Lopez, M. (2010). Dental Treatment of Marfan Syndrome.
With regard to a case. Odontostomatology for the disabled or special patients, 15(6):e859-62. doi:10.4317/medoral.15.e859

MARFAN
SYNDRO
ME AND
DENTISTR
Y
Ashlyn Bruno, Dental Hygiene Student

Meagan Payne, Dental Hygiene Student

Lamar Institute of Technology
Dental Hygiene Program

Features
Skeletal
Tall, thin physique, with long limbs and
fingers, scoliosis, narrow chest with
breastbone deformity, joint
hypermobility and dislocations. Dilation
of the lumbar dural sac seen on MRI
scan occurs in about 60% of patients.

Cardiovascular
Dilatation of ascending aorta (sometimes
descending), incompetence of aortic and
mitral valves, aneurysm and rupture of
aorta.

Respiratory

What is Marfan
Syndrome?
An inherited disorder of connective
tissue that affects many organ
systems including the skeleton, eyes,
heart and blood vessels.

Caused by a mutation in the

gene for fibrillin-1 on
chromosome 15.

Can affect both men and

women of any ethnic group.

Having long narrow face characteristics

of Marfan syndrome. Sometimes this
interferes with facial harmony and the
proper relationship between the upper
and lower jaw and teeth.

Pneumothorax, asthma, emphysema and

bronchiectasis

Ocular
Dislocation of lens, myopia and unstable
refraction, retinal lattice degeneration,
retinal detachment, strabismus,
glaucoma.

Overcrowded Teeth
In Marfan syndrome, the major bone in
the upper jaw is often quite narrow,
which can lead to considerable crowding
of the teeth.

Genetic
In most cases, Marfan syndrome is
inherited. The pattern is called
autosomal dominant, meaning it
occurs equally in men and woman and
can be inherited from just one parent
with Marfan syndrome.

Malocclusion

Posterior Cross bite

The narrow high shaped of the palate
may also cause posterior cross bite when
the upper teeth align inside the lower
teeth when you bite down.

Temporomandibular joint
syndrome
With TMJ syndrome, you may
experience locking of the jaw when it is
opened widely, pain when chewing,
popping or clicking of one or both joints
when the mouth is opened.

Endocarditis
Patients with Marfan syndrome can
develop endocarditis during dental
procedures and other medical situations
where there is an increased likelihood
that bacteria can enter the blood stream.