Prosthetic treatment of oligodontia with a tooth-supported overdenture--a case report.

An unusual case of oligodontia is reported in a 20 year old Nigerian male. It is unusual because of the isolated occurrence of the oligodontia which is unassociated with a family history or any other clinical features suggestive of specific syndromes or severe systemic abnormality. The patient presented with conically or peg shaped anterior and malformed posterior teeth in both the maxilla and mandible. Full mouth periapical radiographs revealed stunted roots, widening of the periodontal space and an unerupted tooth in the right mandibular premolar region. Tooth-supported upper and lower removable partial overdenture were fabricated for him. This modality of treatment is a better choice which helps not only to preserve the alveolar ridge height and improve aesthetics, but also preserves the proprioceptive mechanisms associated with the periodontal membrane of natural teeth.