Prosthodontic and psychological factors in treating patients with congenital and craniofacial defects.

This article addresses treatment of patients with various types of congenital defects, including partial and total anodontia, hypohydrotic ectodermal dysplasia, dentinogenesis imperfecta, and cleft lip and palate. The psychosocial aspects of these patients and rehabilitation with removable, fixed, and implant-supported prostheses are discussed. The factors to be considered are altered anatomy, lack of teeth or malformed teeth, teeth in abnormal positions, lack of facial growth, and altered arch development. The short- and long-term treatment of patients in these categories is discussed.