Longitudinal study of jaw growth and prosthetic management in a patient with ectodermal dysplasia and anodontia

A patient with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and anodontia was studied clinically and cephalometrically from 6 to 18 years of age. This case is exceptional in that the patient was a young girl. Five sets of complete dentures were fitted during this period. Periodic recall examination and adjustment maintained good oral function and aesthetics. Serial cephalometric analysis of craniofacial development revealed that growth of the maxilla was slightly reduced, but there was no detectable effect in the mandible. Three-dimensional analysis of the alveolar ridge form from serial casts showed that increase of the anteroposterior arch dimension was larger than that of the lateral arch dimension in both jaws. There was a lateral expansion in the anterior and premolar regions and a considerable height increase in the posterior tooth region of the upper alveolar ridge. Our findings support those of Sarnart et al. (1953) in showing that lack of teeth did not affect growth of the jaws.