Using implants for prosthodontic rehabilitation of a 4-year-old with ectodermal dysplasia

Ectodermal dysplasia (ED) is an inherited disorder that affects ectodermally derived organs, such as teeth. Pathogenesis is thought to involve an altered epithelium-mesenchymal interaction. ED patients have oligodontia (or sometimes anodontia) in addition to other abnormalities involving the skin, sweat glands, or hair. Many different subtypes have been introduced in the literature. This article describes the case of a 4-year-old patient who, after being diagnosed with ED, was put on a treatment plan that involved mandibular implants, reshaping of the maxillary primary central incisors, and prosthetic dental rehabilitation. Due to the child's rapid growth, both dentures were changed 9 months post-treatment. Two years post-treatment, the maxillary denture was changed again and the child was placed under close supervision.