Oral rehabilitation in ectodermal dysplasia

Ectodermal dysplasia (ED) is an inherited heterogenous group of disorders causing mal formation of all tissues originating from ectoderm, like defect in hair, teeth, nail and sweat gland function. Numerous types have been described. Hypohydrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) is one of the common type; characterized by hypohidrosis, hypotrichosis (abnormal hair), onychodysplasia (abnormal nail) and hypodontia or anodontia (abnormal dentition). The significance of this disease lies in severe hypodontia. Dental clinicians can be the first to diagnose such cases. The dental team should be aware of its sign and symptoms in order to provide the correct therapies for the functional and psychologic needs of these patients. Here we have discussed oral rehabilitation of a 10 year old boy with ectodermal dysplasia. The objective of this case report is to make aware the people about such rare genetic disease and different methods of oral Rehabilitation of these patients for better social living, self esteem oral function.