Effect of complete dentures on craniofacial growth of an ectodermal dysplasia patient: a clinical report.

The aim of this clinical report was to observe the effect of complete dentures on craniofacial growth and development of an ectodermal dysplasia (ED) patient. A complete anodontia patient diagnosed with ED was successfully rehabilitated with conventional complete dentures at the ages of 5, 8, and 10 years. Three sets of complete dentures were made with age-appropriate denture teeth and a bilaterally balanced lingualized occlusal scheme. Periodic follow-up and adjustment when needed was done to maintain proper oral function and esthetics. Serial cephalometric analysis exhibited a marked restriction of forward growth at the anterior nasal spine (ANS) point between 5 and 10 years of age, although there was little change from average in the anteroposterior length of the mandibular body and the height of the mandibular ramus. So, while maxillary growth was reduced, mandibular growth did not significantly change. Cast analysis showed that the increase in arch length was greater than in arch width for both the maxilla and mandible. There was little increase in alveolar ridge height in the anterior region but a considerable increase in the height of the alveolar ridge in the middle and the posterior region. Our findings concluded that the absence of teeth did not affect the growth of the jaws, and it is probable that the denture flange did not arrest the jaw growth, but rather improved the masticatory function by providing good denture stability and retention.

A Preliminary Study to Analyze the Cranio-facial Growth of an Ectodermal Dysplasia Patient After Prosthetic Rehabilitation.

An experimental study on craniofacial development and jaw growth pattern of an ectodermal dysplasia patient was performed and was compared with normal individual. An ectodermal dysplasia patient with complete anodontia was prosthetically rehabilitated with complete dentures at age of 6 and 8 years. Two sets of complete dentures were made with age-appropriate denture teeth and a lingualized occlusal scheme. Periodic follow up and adjustment whether needed was done to maintain proper oral function and aesthetics. Serial cephalometric analysis exhibited a marked restriction of forward growth at the ANS point during 6-8 years of age although there was a little change from average in the anteroposterior length of mandibular body and the height of mandibular ramus. So, the maxillary growth was reduced but there was no significant change in the mandibular growth. Cast analysis showed that increase in arch length was greater than in arch width for both maxilla and mandible. There was a little increase in alveolar ridge height in the anterior region but there was a considerable increase in the height of the alveolar ridge in the middle and the posterior region. Our findings concluded that the absence of teeth did not affect the growth of the jaws and probably the denture flange did not arrest the jaw growth, rather it improved the masticatory function by providing good denture stability and retention.