Reflux esophagitis and dental erosion

ABSTRACT

Gastroesophageal reflux [GER] has been implicated in many extraesophageal problems as asthma, ear, nose, throat and laryngeal diseases. This study has been done to determine, if there is a relation between GER and idiopathic dental erosion. Patients selected for the study were divided into two groups The dental group, which included ten patients with idiopathic dental erosion studied for the presence of GER and the gastroenterology group, which included 30 patients presenting by GER symptoms and examined for the presence of idiopathic dental erosion. All patients were subjected to questionnaire about GER symptoms and secondary causes of dental erosion, dental examination, esophagoscopy with esophageal biopsy and histopathology. Six of ten patients in the dental group were found to have GER of variable degrees and 8 of 22 patients with GER were found to have idiopathic dental erosion. In conclusion, dental erosion is common among GER patients and GER is an important factor in causing dental erosion