Clinical evaluation of implant-supported prostheses for edentulous patients with ectodermal dysplasia

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of implant-supported prostheses for oral function rehabilitation in patients with ectodermal dysplasia.

Thirteen patients were included in the present study. After bone augmentation, zygomatic implants (ZIs) or regular implants (RIs) were placed, fabrication of dental prostheses were applied, and psychological and oral education was carried out. Implant survival rates, patient satisfaction and other related evaluation indicators were assessed.

The ilium was chosen for autogenic bone grafts in two patients. The fibula was used in two other patients and the mandibular ramus in one other patient. One patient was treated through alveolar distraction osteogenesis of the mandible. Guided bone regeneration was applied in seven other patients. Bone graft resorption in the maxilla was observed in one patient; bone augmentation of the mandible was successful in all patients, and no obvious bone resorption was observed. One hundred and eighteen implants were placed, among which 22 were ZIs, and 96 were RIs. Five RIs failed and were removed. The survival rate for ZIs was 100%, and the survival rate for RIs was 94.79%, in a follow up after 3 years. All patients were satisfied with the restoration of their oral function. More than 50% of the patients exhibited self-confidence.

Oral function can be restored in edentulous ectodermal dysplasia patients using bone augmentation and implant-supported prostheses, and patient self-confidence can be enhanced. However, the resorption of grafted bone in the anterior region of the maxilla cannot be ignored.