The Contribution of Orthodontics to the Prosthodontic Treatment of Ectodermal Dysplasia: A long-term clinical report

ABSTRACT Background The long-term management of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) from prepuberty to adulthood often necessitates orthodontic and orthopedic treatment in conjunction with prosthodontic care. Case Description The authors present a report regarding the combined orthodontic and prosthodontic treatment of a child with HED-associated oligodontia from the ages of 10 to 18 years. The authors fabricated successive maxillary removable partial dentures, equipped with midline jackscrews, at different phases of the treatment and planned treatment to close the patient's midline diastema. After completion of the orthodontic therapy, three-dimensional analysis of the final dental casts showed a measurable increase in the transverse dimensions of the maxillary dental arch, and posttreatment cephalometric analysis revealed the face to have normal vertical dimensions and a mild retroposition of the maxilla. Conclusions and Clinical Implications Orthodontic and orthopedic treatment in coordination with prosthetic restoration at the appropriate time may benefit the stomatognathic function, normal growth, esthetics and emotional well-being of young people with HED.