Esthetic Repair of the Dental Consequences of Celiac Disease: A Case Report

James F. Fondriest, DDS and Matthew R. Roberts, CDT

Abstract

Hypocalcification of her tooth enamel had created occlusal and esthetic problems for a 26-year-old patient with celiac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disorder that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. This disease can cause the improper development of enamel on adult teeth. The combination of bruxism with weak and poorly developed enamel had caused significant loss of tooth structure for this patient. Bonded composite did not serve well on functional occlusal surfaces. Full fixed prosthodontic coverage of her teeth was performed. The details of creating a customized appearance of the prosthesis for this patient are discussed.

Introduction

Celiac disease is a digestive disorder that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients such as calcium from food.1 People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate a protein called gluten, found in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is found mainly in foods but may also be found in products we use every day, such as stamp and envelope adhesive, certain medicines, and vitamins. When people with celiac disease eat foods containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging the finger-like villi of the small intestine. When the villi become damaged, the body