Ectodermal dysplasia: literature review and a case report

Ectodermal dysplasia is a group of rare inherited disorders that affect various tissues of ectodermal origin. The mode of inheritance varies among the different disorders. The most common form of ectodermal dysplasia is hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED), which most severely affects the hair, nails, teeth, and skin. Men are more often and more severely affected than women. However, transmission is from the female carrier, who usually appears normal and unaffected. Dental treatment for these patients varies on an individual basis. This article illustrates a case of overdentures in a 7-year-old boy with HED.