Characteristics of Craniofacial and Oral Status in Ectodermal Dysplasia

Ectodermal dysplasia (ED) is characterized by clinical manifestations of severe hypodontia or anodontia, hypotrichosis, hypohidrosis, and a specific facial appearance, which is essentially a congenital malformation in pediatric dentistry. A small mid-face and maxilla and narrow palate, normal physiological tooth crown age and root developmental stage, and hypodontia and small permanent teeth were statistically clarified based on the lateral cephalograms and dental plaster casts of the four child patients with ED in this study, however, the sizes of their primary molars were within normal limits. The labial closure force of the four ED patients was similar to that of the healthy controls at 10 to 12 years old. The biting force in ED was significantly lower than control. Besides the salivary flow in the ED patients was significantly lower in comparison to the control groups. Based on these results, pedodontists have to pay attention to craniofacial pattern and size, especially maxilla size, and oral conditions of hypodontia such as the, shape of palatal vault in order to construct a good prosthesis and provide appropriate care to ED patients. As the labial force, biting force and concaved palatal vault shape of the ED patients aged over 10 years were normal compared with healthy controls, it was suggested feeding and the wearing of a partial denture were not severe problems with regards to low salivary flow.