Navigating Dental Care for Patients With Ehlers–Danlos Syndromes

Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are best described as a multifactorial group of connective tissue disorders. EDS are inherited with variations in genes primarily affecting collagen production. Collagen is necessary for many functions in the body, providing support and structure to the joints, tendons, ligaments, organs, blood vessels, bones, and dermis, including providing its elasticity.^1,2

Clinical manifestations of EDS include hypermobility of the joints; instability or looseness of the ligaments, tendons, and joint capsules; hyperextensibility and frailty of the skin; delayed wound healing; skin or tissue scarring, and an increase in dislocation and subluxation of joints.^2,3 In addition to dermatological and musculoskeletal manifestations, other organs or bodily systems are affected by EDS. Cardiovascular, visual or ocular, gastrointestinal, neurological, psychological, and oral health manifestations have all been well documented.^2,4-8

Read Full Article

* References and figures can be found in the original article via the link above.