title: Prosthodontics for pediatric patients with congenital/developmental orofacial anomalies: a long-term follow-up.
abstract: Patients afflicted with congenital/developmental anomalies of the oral/head and neck regions present the prosthodontist with unique esthetic and functional restorative challenges. This article reviews the various pediatric patient categories that would benefit from placement of "vital" overdentures. A long-term follow-up of patients seen over 25 years of practice is presented with a focus on complications such as temporomandibular joint stability, caries, soft tissue and bony support changes, and denture adaptation. Longitudinal follow-up of these patients indicates that, although problems occur with overdenture therapy, the benefits of this treatment far outweigh the complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA. thomas.vergo_jr@tufts.edu
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Vergo
mesh_terms: D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D003779:Denture Design; D003823:Denture Rebasing; D003828:Denture, Overlay / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009056:Mouth Abnormalities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D012463:Saliva / Q000502:physiology; D013499:Surface Properties; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014071:Tooth Abnormalities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014716:Vertical Dimension