Dental Implant Therapy in a Patient with Acromegaly: A Clinical Report

Acromegaly is an adult endocrine disorder that results from excessive growth hormone after closure of the growth plates and is associated with significant morbidity and increased mortality. The orofacial features of patients with acromegaly are thick lips with a tendency towards mandibular overgrowth with prognathism, jaw thickening, maxillary widening, drifting of teeth, malocclusion, and increased gonial angle, all of which can challenge the prosthodontist in dental rehabilitation. Additionally, excessive secretion of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factors have been shown to increase bone turnover, which in turn leads to weakening of bone microarchitecture and high risk of fragility fractures. This clinical report describes the 4-year follow-up of a 59-year-old white male with acromegaly, who was managed successfully by using dental implants for replacing his missing teeth. Considerations related to treatment planning, implant surgery, bone remodeling, and management of dental occlusion are discussed. This is the first clinical report in the dental literature describing the use of dental implants in an acromegaly patient.