Aplastic anemia: current concepts and dental management.

Aplastic anemia (AA) is a rare blood dyscrasia in which the peripheral blood cells are decreased because of bone marrow failure. The clinical course reflects the severity of pancytopenia and is unpredictable for the individual. Hemorrhage and infection remain the major threats to these patients. Recent advances in transfusion medicine, infection management, bone marrow transplantation, and immunosuppressive therapy have improved survival of patients with AA. Oral manifestations of AA are common and may have serious sequelae. Two cases of acute periodontal infection associated with AA are presented. Dental management guidelines are presented in the context of interdisciplinary care.