Multiple agenesis and anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia: a comparative longitudinal study of dental similarities and genetic differences in two groups of children.

AIM

Dental anomalies in shape and number may be present isolated or associated with other manifestations. In anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia they occur more frequently and severely. The authors examined a group of children with similar dental anomalies but no other ectodermal or extra-ectodermal signs.

METHODS

This study makes a comparative evaluation of similarities and differences of dental anomalies between two groups: A anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and B similar dental finding but without extra- dental anomalies.

RESULTS

In group A, the average number of agenesis in primary teeth was 3.5 (upper) and 5.33 (lower); in permanent teeth it was 5.4 and 5.8, respectively. In group B, the average was 1.62 (upper) and 0.25 (lower) in primary teeth, and 4.0 and 4.25 in permanent teeth respectively, with no constant pattern of occurrence. The study of tooth morphology of both groups revealed numerous anomalies in both dentitions. No differences were found in the average number of agenesis and morphological anomalies in the permanent teeth between both groups, but in the primary dentition group B presented a lower degree of incidence.

CONCLUSION

The presence of almost normal primary dentition (regarding to number), but with morphological anomalies, should lead to suspect their exacerbation in the permanent dentition.