Interceptive treatment in ectodermal dysplasia using an innovative orthodontic/prosthetic modular appliance. A case report with 10- year follow-up

The treatment of a complex case of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) with severe oligodontia. A 6 years old boy with HED, was treated with an orthodontic/prosthetic modular appliance. The device is custom made and consists of two parts, upper and lower, which were partially removable and partially fixed. The patient was prepared to receive dental implants for definitive oral rehabilitation. The treatment begun with heath-cured acrylic resin removable appliance with expansion screw in the maxilla and in the mandible. Afterwards, an innovative orthodontic/prosthetic modular appliance was made in the maxilla and in the mandible, fixed with bands on the first permanent molars, with expansion screw and telescopic screw that follow and support the resin prosthetic teeth during the orthopaedic expansion. The resin prosthetic teeth are removable from the metallic fixed structure of this appliance.The patient was followed for 10 years from the beginning of treatment. The modular appliance here described and our therapeutic approach showed to be efficient and durable in the achievement of many goals in the treatment of a complex case of HED. The objectives were not only just orthodontic, but also prosthetic and psychological.