INTRODUCTION

Ectodermal dysplasia is a hereditary disorder characterized by the abnormal development of certain ectodermal-origin structures.^1-7 Among the structures at risk we can count hair, sweat and sebaceous glands, nails, teeth, the eye’s conjunctive, the crystalline, anterior pituitary glands and ears. Central nervous system defects can also be found.^1-3 Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia can exhibit either a recessive autosomal pattern or a pattern linked to chromosome X. Nevertheless, the most common type is the one linked to chromosome X, exhibited in males.² Moreover, due to mutation of gene Xq12q13,^3,4 anhidrotic or hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia can appear in a family lacking any history of this condition.

Female carriers of this disease might be aflicted with a variable degree of clinical implications, which might vary from undetectable signs to the manifestation of considerable signs of hypodontia, hypotrichosis and unilateral chest hypoplasia.⁵ This is only one of the 192 types of described dysplasia cases. Ectodermal dysplasia is present in all ethnicities, it is estimated that 7 out of every 10,000 births present some type of ectodermal dysplasia, and one out of 100,000 male births presents the anhidrotic variance.^1-9 Affected males exhibit extensive dental absence, among other characteristics such as prominent forehead, depressed nasal bridge, protuberant lips and undefined vermillion border.^1-3,5-9

During childhood, hypohidrosis can be found in variable degrees. Frequently with severe cases of hyperthermia.¹⁰

Hypodontia or anodontia are the most common oral manifestation; they reflect complete suppression of the dental ectoderm. Some teeth can be present with delayed eruption; they are usually malformed or conical teeth. It is common to find dry oral mucosa due to the decrease or absence of salivary glands. Likewise, due to absence of teeth in the residual ridge, it fails to develop suitably, in some cases it even appears missing; in consequence, there might be decrease in facial vertical dimension.

In these patients, the appearance of their teeth is extremely important since it can affect their selfesteem. Psychosocial and physiological reasons mandate providing dental care for patients at an early age. Periodic revisions are also needed in order to preserve and follow up the patients’ oral health status.

Most frequent prosthetic treatment is the manufacture of full prostheses, although fixed prostheses or prostheses over implants can also be used. Prosthesis manufacturing enhances sagittal and vertical skeletal relationship during growth and development, since they provide improvement in esthetics, phonetics and masticatory efficiency.

The present clinical report describes characteristics and treatment of two siblings aflicted with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.

CLINICAL REPORT

A 19 year old male and his 12 year old sister attended the Implantology and Oral Prosthesis Department of the Graduate and Research School, National School of Dentistry, National University of Mexico (UNAM), for examination, assessment and prosthetic treatment.

Both patients exhibited characteristic traits of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, which included the following: protuberant lips, depressed nasal bridge, mild alopecia well as sparse eyebrows and eyelashes (Figures 1A and 1B). The male exhibited syndactyly in both hands (Figure 1 C).

Figure 1 Patients’ clinical characteristics. (A and B) Characteristic facial traits of dysplasia patients. (C) Syndactyly exhibited by the male patient. (D and E) Intraoral photographs showing total de-centration state. 

Both patients wore full dentures and exhibited decrease in vertical dimension. Intra-oral exploration revealed dry mucosa as well as small, thin and undeveloped residual ridges (Figures 1D and 1E). Patients had been wearing full dentures for two years. In the boy’s denture, a fissure was found at the level of the midline. The girl’s denture was maladjusted due to the growth of both upper and lower jaws.

During interview they mentioned that their father had been diagnosed with anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, and was wearing a full denture.

CLINICAL PROCEDURES

Anatomical impressions were taken to achieve study models and manufacture acrylic individualized trays. With these trays, myofunctional recording was achieved using heavy consistency polyvinylsiloxane silicone (Elite HD+ Monophase Heavy Body/ Zhermack^®), to later achieve physiological impression with polysulfide rubber.

In order to achieve craniomandibular relationships, positives of impressions were obtained, recording bases were manufactured and wax rollers were fabricated. Models were mounted by means of facial arch in a Modular Hanau articulator (Figure 2). It was decided to place teeth in a lingualized occlusion scheme, using a curved template similar to the type used by Dr. French (Figures 3 and 4).

Figure 2 Mounting of working models. 

Figure 3 Dr. French’s curved template. 

Figure 4 Placement of lower teeth using curved template. 

Gyst, described lingualized occlusion for full prosthesis in 1927, this was also described by Howard Payne, DDS, more recently in 1941. In this scheme upper palatal cusps are articulated with lower occlusal surfaces in positions of work and balance, a term attributed to Earl Pound. The occlusal scheme is based on using palatal cusp of upper molars as stamping cusp to occlude with a shallow lower central fossa, ensuring at the same time lack of contact with upper buccal cusps or lower lingual cusps, creating thus a mortar and pestle effect.¹¹

Due to the characteristic of vertically directing mastication forces towards the residual process, oblique forces applied to the retentive structures are decreased. The objective of achieving bilateral balanced occlusion along with lingualized occlusion is to obtain soft bilateral contacts in eccentric movements. Therefore, this occlusal philosophy is indicated in cases where there is severe alveolar resorption, class 2 maxillary-mandibular relationship, hypermobile soft tissue, thin and poorly adhered mucosa, low salivary flow, low muscle tonicity, and poor neuromuscular coordination.

Once pertinent tests had been conducted and counting with patient and parental approval, prostheses were characterized and processed (Figure 5). Prostheses were re -mounted and polished, occlusal balance was checked before delivery to patients (Figures 6 and 7).

Figure 5 One of the processed dentures where characterization can be observed. 

Figure 6 Intraoral view of the male’s denture. 

Figure 7 Front view of the female’s prosthesis. 

Patients were instructed to follow a soft diet during the initial days so as to facilitate new dentures’ adaptation (Figure 8). Patients were instructed in the use of artificial saliva. To decrease oral dryness, presently there is an available saliva substitute. This substance was developed at the Faculty of Chemistry, National University of Mexico (UNAM). It is composed of pear cactus mucilage (Opuntia ficus indica) and in addition to lower cost, possesses the advantages of exhibiting better viscosity characteristics than synthetic artificial saliva.¹²

Figure 8 Patients’ clinical aspect with dentures in place. 

DISCUSSION

Dental treatment of hipohydrotic ectodermal dysplasia is complex. It entails special treatment, since patients begin their prosthetic treatment at very early ages, thus requiring a multi-disciplinary approach. Restoration of natural appearance is of the utmost importance in the psychosocial development of the patient as well as his future insertion in society. With respect to prosthetic treatment, full prosthetics is the most commonly used, notwithstanding the disadvantages encountered with the growth and development of the jaws, which causes maladjustment, and therefore, the need to undertake continuous changes in the dentures. Another disadvantage is patient cooperation; in these instances, parental help is of the utmost importance for the patient to accept treatment and constant use of dentures.

Prosthetic stability and retention is difficult to achieve due to the jaws’ poor development. Another encountered complication is oral mucosa dryness, since this hinders feeding, adjustment and buccopharyngeal health, therefore it is recommended to use artificial saliva which mimics the viscosity and pH of a healthy individual’ s saliva.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients aflicted with ectodermal dysplasia require treatment embodying multi-disciplinary approach. It is very important for the patient to begin treatment at an early age in order to avoid impingement of self-esteem and foster integration in society. Due to the oral characteristics of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, the most frequent treatment is manufacture of full prostheses; nevertheless, the clinician can face several difficulties such as poor development of alveolar processes and dryness of the mouth, as consequence of poor or nil salivary secretion.

Use of artificial saliva is an auxiliary in the use of full prostheses as well as to preserve suitable feeding and maintenance of oropharyngeal health. The use of artificial saliva made from pear cactus mucilage is a viable alternative; due to the similar viscosity and pH it exhibits when comparing it to saliva of a healthy individual. Moreover, manufacture of this saliva is reasonably cheaper than substitutes found in the market, which are commonly made of glycerin, carboxymethyl, sodium cellulose and sorbitol.