Diagnosis of Congenital Syphilis through Detection of Dental Abnormalities: Case Report
Maxwell da Silva Nascimento1, Lucas do Valle Morais1, Fernanda Malheiro Santos2, Alexandre do Valle Wuo3, Irineu Gregnanin Pedron4*
1Undergraduation Student, School of Dentistry, Centro Universitário Braz Cubas, Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil.
2DDS, MDS. Professor, Department of Oral Surgery and Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Centro Universitário Braz Cubas, Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil.
3DDS, MDS, PhD. Professor, Department of Oral Surgery and Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Centro Universitário Braz Cubas, Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil.
4DDS, MDS. Professor, Department of Periodontics and Integrated Clinic, School of Dentistry, Centro Universitário Braz Cubas, Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil.
*Corresponding Author: Irineu Gregnanin Pedron, DDS, MDS. Professor, Department of Periodontics and Integrated Clinic, School of Dentistry, Universidade Braz Cubas, Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil.
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOADE.2026.07.001
Received: December 10, 2025
Published: January 06, 2026
Citation: da Silva Nascimento M, do Valle Morais L, Santos FM, do Valle Wuo A, Pedron IG. Diagnosis of Congenital Syphilis through Detection of Dental Abnormalities: Case Report. SVOA Dentistry 2026, 7:1, 01-06. doi: 10.58624/SVOADE.2026.07.001
Abstract
Characterised as a vertically transmitted infection, congenital syphilis is a major public health problem, associated with high perinatal morbidity and mortality and long-lasting systemic sequelae. Transplacental transmission of Treponema pallidum can result in a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic cases to severe multisystemic alterations involving the integumentary system, bones, central nervous system, and dental structures. Among these manifestations, the dental anomalies typical of congenital syphilis stand out: mulberry molars and barrel-shaped central incisors. In this perspective, the dental surgeon plays an important role in the diagnosis of congenital syphilis, referring the patient to an infectious disease physician for the appropriate management of other systemic manifestations. The purpose of this article is to present a case of an adolescent patient with mulberry molars. The patient underwent serological tests for syphilis, confirming the diagnostic hypothesis. The etiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects were discussed, as well as the role of the dental surgeon in the early detection of oral manifestations of systemic diseases.
Keywords: Congenital Syphilis; Hutchinson's teeth; Tooth Diseases; Oral Pathology; Oral Diagnosis.
