Osseointegration of Dental Implants in a Patient with Hajdu-cheney Syndrome

Background:

Hajdu-Cheney Syndrome (HCS) is a rare hereditary bone metabolism disorder characterized by acro-osteolysis, short stature, craniofacial changes, periodontitis and premature tooth loss. Extensive search of the current literature revealed no reports of implant placement in patients with HCS.

Case Report:

A 22-year old woman with osteoporosis, generalized advanced chronic periodontitis and premature tooth loss was referred to the Postgraduate Clinic of Periodontology, University of Athens-Greece. The patient was diagnosed in 2001 with HCS. The patient received non-surgical periodontal treatment and several teeth were extracted due to extensive alveolar bone loss.

After careful consideration of the possible implications deriving from the patient’s condition and having taken her young age into account, initially, a dental implant was placed in the upper right first premolar region. Specific protocols such as longer healing periods were implemented, so five years after placement and successful osseointegration of this implant, four additional dental implants were placed in the posterior regions of the maxilla and the mandible. Prosthetic rehabilitation followed 6 months after implant placement. Upon completion of periodontal treatment, the patient was enrolled in a periodontal maintenance program.

Results:

Clinical and radiographic examination of the patient during the periodontal maintenance program after implant placement revealed no abnormalities in the implant region.

Conclusion:

Patients with HCS suffer from periodontitis, bone destruction and premature tooth loss. This case indicates the successful osseointegration of dental implants in patients with HCS. However, further research is required in order to determine the predictability of dental implant placement in those patients.

Historical insights in the progression and development of gingivectomy

During the last three centuries since the identification of periodontal disease, various non-surgical and surgical forms of periodontal therapy have been described and documented in the dental literature. The main objective of periodontal treatment has been initially the removal of "diseased gingiva," either through the implementation of various surgical techniques, or through the application of caustic drugs or pressing patches. Although the differences in the suggested techniques created significant controversies between some of the greatest clinicians and researchers in dentistry, their main goals remained the rehabilitation of the oral cavity and the therapeutic management of the problems sustained from periodontal disease.