Prosthetic rehabilitation of a young patient with Hypophosphatasia - A review and case report

Removable prosthetic management for tooth agenesis in the pediatric population: A systematic review of case reports and case series

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Dental agenesis is a condition in which the absence of teeth causes debilitating problems, primarily in speech, mastication, and esthetics. The optimal removable prosthetic management for the condition is unclear.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the spectrum of removable prosthetic techniques with regard to the type of edentulism and to provide clinical guidance for practicing dentists.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An electronic and manual search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Publications of case reports and series written in English without data restrictions that reported on removable prosthodontic management of patients with oligodontia, hypodontia, or anodontia were included.

RESULTS

A total of 59 articles comprising 83 case reports were analyzed. In patients with anodontia, the most common treatment option was an acrylic resin complete denture. Hypodontia and oligodontia were commonly managed by using either a partial denture or overdenture. Irreversible hydrocolloid or alginate was the most accepted material for the preliminary impressions and elastomeric materials for definitive impressions. The tooth arrangements were modified to simulate natural dentition and improve esthetics. Modifications of conventional acrylic resin dentures have been proposed for improved denture adaptation. Good retention is essential to the long-term success of prosthetic treatment and may be achieved with a denture reline or with retention clasps. The active growth of the patients means constant maintenance, including denture renewals or repairs, emphasizing the need for long-term follow-up care.

CONCLUSIONS

Prosthodontic rehabilitation at an early age has been shown to significantly impact the overall quality of life for a child with tooth agenesis.

Dental manifestation and management of hypophosphatasia

Hypophosphatasia is an inherited metabolic disorder characterized by defective mineralization of bones and teeth with a wide variety of manifestations, ranging from stillbirth to dental symptoms alone. Recently, the prognosis of severe hypophosphatasia patients has been greatly improved by the introduction of enzyme replacement therapy. The typical dental manifestation is early exfoliation of primary teeth due to disturbed cementum formation, so dentures are recommended to ensure that important oral functions are acquired. Some studies have shown that enzyme replacement therapy improves dental mineralization, resulting in the stabilization of periodontal tissues and better growth of tooth roots. A nationwide Japanese survey revealed the common genetic and dental manifestations of patients with mild hypophosphatasia, which markedly differ from those of the severe forms. There may be many undiagnosed mild patients, so dentists should contribute to the early diagnosis by screening possible cases based on the typical finding of early exfoliation of primary teeth. Early diagnosis is important for patients to receive early intervention in both medical and dental fields. The establishment of fundamental dental therapy to solve the dental problems is still underway and is eagerly anticipated.

Hypophosphatasia: oral cavity and dental disorders

Dental anomalies exist in every subtype of hypophosphatasia (HPP), from the most severe to the most moderate, called odontohypophosphatasia. The forms are defined by the age at onset of the initial symptoms. These anomalies affect all dental mineralized tissues from enamel, dentin and cementum to alveolar bone in a gradient proportional to the severity of the disease. Early loss of the deciduous teeth, before 3 years of age, and then possibly of the permanent teeth, is due to an abnormality of the cementum, the tissue attaching the teeth to alveolar bone, and is the most frequent abnormality. Tooth loss is a very important diagnostic sign and needs to be recognized. Patients with HPP need specialized oral and dental care in coordination with the reference and expert centers. The oral and dental signs and their treatment remain poorly known. The recording of the abnormalities and their treatment in a registry is indispensable in order to enhance patient management and oral and dental health.

Early Tooth Loss in Children: A Warning Sign of Childhood Hypophosphatasia

Premature exfoliation of primary teeth may be the first manifestation of this serious condition and the general dental practitioner plays an important role in recognizing dental anomalies and referring patients at an appropriate time. This is imperative to ensuring early diagnosis and good quality patient care. This article describes the case of a 4-year-old boy affected by childhood hypophosphatasia, who presented with premature exfoliation of his primary teeth as the first manifestation of this condition. An overview of the condition is outlined including a discussion of the likelihood of permanent dentition involvement. Clinical relevance: Oral manifestations of hypophosphatasia may be the first and the only signs of this condition and may be the basis upon which a diagnosis is made.