Re: Ectodermal Dysplasia

[Anonymous]

Using endosseous dental implants for patients with ectodermal dysplasia.

Ectodermal dysplasia (ED) is a genetic birth defect that often results in dental abnormalities such as missing or abnormally small teeth. Hair, nail, and sweat gland abnormalities are also commonly seen in persons with ED. Treatments for the dental problems have traditionally involved fitting the patient with partial or complete dentures. Although dentures are a useful treatment, they do not always provide enough structure in the mouth for proper development and they are not readily accepted by children. A recently developed technique offers ED patients an alternative to dentures. Oral endosseous titanium screw-type implants can be used to replace missing or abnormal teeth. The implants can provide the proper support that normal teeth would, allowing proper development and maintenance of the healthy teeth. Early and extensive planning is required if these implants are to be used in treating ED patients. Healthy teeth should be saved, but questionable teeth may need to be removed. Bone development is often abnormal in ED patients and bone grafting may be necessary to provide support for the implants. Temporary dentures may be needed while determinations are being made as to which teeth can be saved and which must go. Also, it is probably best to hold off on implants until adolescence. This allows for changes in facial structure that could alter the best placement of the implants. With careful planning, endosseous implants are an effective treatment for the dental problems of ED patients.