Craniofacial changes following early prosthetic treatment in a case of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia with complete anodontia.

The authors describe early prosthetic treatment in a case of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia with complete anodontia. Craniofacial changes were analyzed by means of Ricketts' cephalometric analysis and superimposition methods. Early prosthetic treatment for complete anodontia determined a backward-downward rotation of the mandible with consequent normal positioning of the chin in the space, normalization in lower facial height, reduction in convexity of the face, and improvement in facial esthetics. Superimposition methods demonstrated that the direction of growth of both the maxilla and the mandible was progressing favorably. Improvements in esthetics and in the function of masticatory and perioral muscles, together with their positive psychological impact, were also discussed.