Outcomes of dental implant treatment in 3–18 year old children with ectodermal dysplasia: a systematic review spanning three decades

Abstract

Background: Alveolar hypoplasia in Ectodermal Dysplasia (ED) children poses unique challenges for implant treatment compared to those with missing teeth from trauma or other congenital disorders. This study aimed to summarize and evaluate the clinical evidence regarding the feasibility of implant treatment in young patients with ED. Materials and methods: The systematic review (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024600172) adhered to PRISMA guidelines and conducted searches on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to retrieve articles published between 1994 and 2024. Inclusion criteria focused on identifying studies specifically addressing implant treatment in children with ED. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Results: The review encompassed 3 retrospective studies, 1 prospective study, 4 case series, and 15 case reports, involving a total of 46 patients aged 3 to 18 years. Among these patients, the highest implant survival rates were observed in the age group of 8 to 13 years, while the lowest rates were noted in the 3 to 8 years age group. The predominant complications identified included the necessity for prosthesis remake or relining and alterations in implant positioning, which can typically be addressed through surgical interventions and adjustments to the prosthesis. Conclusions: Throughout the dental implant treatment of ED children, the complications relevant to growth and development are inevitable yet manageable, potentially leading to a favorable treatment success rate. However, given the substantial constraints posed by the existing clinical data, the benefit-to-risk ratio of implant therapy in ED children warrants further observation and evaluation.