Abstract
Ectodermal dysplasia is a hereditary disease characterized by the abnormal development of the ectodermal tissues associated with abnormal tooth eruption (congenital defects of the teeth, delayed tooth eruption, etc), decrease in the density of sweat glands, thin hair, etc. The syndrome is inherited by the sex-linked recessive mode, which accounts for the 90% incidence in males. We encountered a 4-year 5-month-old boy with complete anodontia associated with anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, and periodically monitored the changes in the biting strength and the apical base over a period of approximately 6 years. The following observations were made.
1. Cosmetic recovery of the face and improvement in masticatory function were achieved through complete change of the denture corresponding to the tooth arrangement according to age.
2. The temporomandibular position was stabilized following the change of denture, suggesting that the motion of the center of gravity was probably reduced.
3. The biting strength improved with age after the complete denture change.
4. New dentures must be prepared during the growth and development stage because the apical base increased in size with age even in the complete anodontia.
