Dimensional Changes in Dental Arches after Complete Dentures Rehabilitation of a Patient with Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia: A Case Report with 18-Year Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND

This case report presents the dimensional changes in dental arches in a patient with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) after complete denture rehabilitation, with an 18-year follow-up period.

CASE REPORT: The patient had complete anodontia and was successfully rehabilitated with conventional complete dentures at 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, 16, and 21 years of age. Each successive denture was larger and contained more and larger teeth so as to accommodate for the increase in the size of the developing jaw. A series of diagnostic casts were used to measure the dimensional changes in the arch length and width of the alveolar ridge. Cast analysis revealed that there was an increase in arch length and width in both the maxilla and mandible over time. Cephalometric analysis of craniofacial development was performed at 21 years of age, and suggested protrusion of the maxilla and mandible.

CONCLUSIONS

The absence of teeth due to HED did not affect the dimensional changes in dental arches after complete denture rehabilitation from childhood to adulthood. The prosthetic treatment improved the patient's social integration and enabled the development of normal dietary habits, speech, and facial esthetics, which in turn led to improved quality of life.