A multidisciplinary treatment of patients with craniofacial disorders. Own experience.

ABSTRACT

Oral rehabilitation of patients with craniofacial disorders is a great challenge and needs a multidisciplinary approach. This is due to the diverse etiology of the disease and severity of changes in tissues and organs. Congenital absence of tooth germs manifested in the form of oligodontia or anodontia, the presence of persistent deciduous teeth in ectodermal dysplasia (ED), cleft lip and hard palate or cancer-induced changes in the tissues of the stomatognathic system are the most common causes of these disorders. The observed abnormalities are responsible for functional disorders of musculo-articular system, speech and chewing. In addition, noticeable adverse changes in the appearance have a huge psychological impact on patients and their well-being. Therefore, the treatment of these medical conditions should begin in childhood and comprise interdisciplinary rehabilitation, involving prosthetics and orthodontics supported by surgery, as well as speech or laryngological therapy. In this paper the interdisciplinary treatment of patients with oral hard and soft tissues disorders during ectodermal dysplasia is discussed. Early oral rehabilitation can restore lost or abnormally shaped tissues and proper functions of the masticatory system. It can also have a positive impact on further physical and psychological development of patients.