Behçet’s disease and dentistry: Literature review and clinical case report

Abstract

Behcet’s disease (BD) is a systemic vasculitis whose main signs are: mouth ulcers, genital ulcers and uveitis. BD involves a particular immunogenetic field whose etiopathogenesis remains unknown until our days. Diagnosis of BD rests on clinical signs also the doctor’s judgment and experience since there’s no pathognomonic sign or specific test for the disease. In BD the oral manifestation which is recurrent oral aphthous is one of the major diagnostic criteria. In addition to this manifestation, ocular and neurological damages can cause serious sequelae. The management of BD is multidisciplinary. The dentist plays a key role in contributing greatly to the early diagnosis of the disease since the first and most widespread manifestation is recurrent oral aphthous. He is also responsible of the topical treatment of aphthous stomatitis or he can manage the oral consequences induced by the basic treatment of the disease.