Oral Features of Systemic Sclerosis: A case-control study.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the orofacial parameters of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and its related systemic features. Subjects and Methods A descriptive case-control study was performed from November 2015 to October 2016. Ninety-three individuals were included and divided into SSc group (n = 50) and healthy controls (C, n = 43). Results Systemic sclerosis individuals were mostly women (43/50, 86%), with a mean age of 46 years (+/- 11.6 years). Telangiectasia (42/50, 84%) and reduced mouth opening (35/50, 70%) were the most frequent orofacial findings. The periodontitis frequency was much higher in SSc individuals than in healthy controls (90.7% x 48.83%; p < .001). In addition, SSc individuals presented a distinctive pattern of periodontitis, with low probing pocket depth (2 +/- 0.65 mm x 2 +/- 0.24; p < .001), higher gingival recession (4 +/- 2.13 x 0.14 +/- 0,22; p < .001), higher periodontal attachment loss (6 +/- 1.34 mm x 2 +/- 0.43, p < .001), and lower gingival bleeding index values (7.05 +/- 7.25 x 21.57 +/- 15.66; p < .001). Conclusions Orofacial manifestations were common in SSc and included a unique pattern of periodontal manifestation, characterized by lower gingival bleeding index, higher periodontal attachment loss, and low probing depth.