hyroid Disorders. Part I: Hyperthyroidism

The significant thyroid disorders that may be found in dental patients are presented in a series of 3 articles. his article (part I) deals with hyperthyroidism, part II with hypothyroidism and thyroiditis, and part III with neoplastic esions of the thyroid. The signs and symptoms, laboratory tests used to diagnoses hyperthyroidism, and the medical anagement of patients with hyperthyroidism are presented in this paper. The dental management of patients with yperthyroidism is discussed in detail. The dentist, by detecting the early signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism, can efer the patient for medical diagnosis and treatment and avoid potential complications of treating patients with ncontrolled disease. These complications include the rare thyrotoxic crisis (thyroid storm) that may be precipitated by ental treatment, acute infection, or trauma in the patient with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism. Also, the use of pinephrine or other pressor ammines can cause a hypertensive crisis in the patient with uncontrolled yperthyroidism. Patients will benefit from the early detection and referral by reducing the risks of the medical omplications such as hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2006;101:276-284)