Dental findings in patients with renal tubular acidosis

Abstract

Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is characterized by metabolic acidosis due to impaired renal acid excretion. Untreated RTA may lead to growth failure, osteoporosis, rickets, nephrolithiasis, and even renal failure. Oral manifestations in distal RTA (dRTA), the most common form of RTA, are very rarely reported. We hereby report the oral manifestations of five patients with dRTA. Oral alterations were observed in these five patients with dRTA, ranging from generalized yellowish discoloration to rough surfaces with loss of the enamel structure. Loss of contrast between enamel and dentin was observed in all patients while teeth with wide pulp chambers characterizing hypotaurodontism were detected in one patient. This study is the first report of dental alterations in Brazilian patients with dRTA. Enamel hypoplasia was the most common finding. We believe that abnormalities of the biomineralization process found in patients with dRTA might also affect calcium deposition in dental tissues.