A preliminary study to analyze the cranio-facial growth of an ectodermal dysplasia patient after prosthetic rehabilitation

Abstract

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. © 2012 Indian Prosthodontic Society.