title: Use of mini dental implants in ectodermal dysplasia children: follow-up of three cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ectodermal dysplasia is a hereditary genodermatosis characterised by a congenital defect of ectodermal structures, causing tooth malformations and anomalies. Implantology has become accepted in these subjects. However cases are often complicated by a reduction in the size of the alveolar process, making the insertion of conventional implants difficult without bone grafting. The reduced diameter of mini-implants and their ease of insertion provide an interesting solution in supporting removable or fixed prosthesis. The purpose of this paper is to report the follow-up of three cases of children (11-12 year- old) with ectodermal dysplasia in which mini-implants were used to support the prostheses.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the first case, two mini-implants were inserted into the anterior part of the mandible for stabilising a removable denture (2 years follow-up). In the other two cases, mini- implants were inserted in the maxilla and mandible to replace missing front teeth with fixed prostheses. Patients were called for follow- up every 6 months: in the sencod case follow-up lasted 4 years in the mandible and 2 years in the maxilla; in the third case, 2 years in the maxilla and 1 year in the mandible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of mini-implants in children with ectodermal dysplasia can enhance aesthetics, and functional and psychosocial development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Lebanese University, Jounieh, Lebanon.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sfeir
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Lebanese University, Jounieh, Lebanon.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nassif
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Lebanese University, Jounieh, Lebanon.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moukarzel
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D015921:Dental Implants; D004476:Ectodermal Dysplasia / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants