Palatal size and shape in 6-year olds affected by hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the size and shape of the hard tissue palate of Italian subjects with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED).


METHODS
The morphology and the dimensions of the hard tissue palate were analyzed in eight 6-year-old boys affected by HED. Four of the boys were completely edentulous and four partially dentate. Palatal landmarks were identified on stone casts and digitized with three-dimensional computerized electromagnetic instrumentation. Palatal length, slope, width, and maximum palatal height in both the sagittal and frontal planes were measured. From the coordinates of palatal landmarks, a mathematical equation of palatal shape was constructed, independent of size. HED palatal data were compared with reference data obtained from 12 healthy boys with a complete deciduous dentition.


RESULTS
Palatal length and height in both the sagittal and frontal planes were significantly reduced in HED as compared with control individuals. A less steep (not significant) palatal slope was found in HED than in reference subjects, whereas similar palatal width values were observed. All palatal measurements were larger in partially dentate than in edentulous patients. Both HED and edentulousness influenced palatal shape. The HED boys had a relatively lower palate than the reference boys. In the edentulous HED boys, the hard tissue palate was relatively lower than in partially dentate HED subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Palatal size and shape were significantly modified by the presence of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, and the major alterations were found in edentulous HED subjects.
Dellavia
Claudia
C
Dipartmento de Morfologia Umana, Universitá degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy. claudia.dellavia@unimi.it
Sforza
Chiarella
C
Malerba
Angela
A
Strohmenger
Laura
L
Ferrario
Virgilio F
VF
D000848:Anodontia / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002508:Cephalometry; D002648:Child; D004476:Ectodermal Dysplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000473:pathology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D044465:White People