Clinical considerations for prosthodontic rehabilitation of intermediate form of osteopetrosis: A report of two cases.
BACKGROUND
Osteopetrosis is a rare autosomal hereditary disorder characterized by abnormal functioning of osteoclasts, which leads to delayed wound healing. Hence chances of infection are increased even after minor surgical procedures. This paper aims to describe clinical features, and prosthodontic management of two patients who presented with clinical features of intermediate form of osteopetrosis and missing teeth.


METHODS
A 27-year-old patient having intermediate osteopetrosis presented with difficulty in chewing food and swallowing, due to edentulous maxillary and mandibular arches with large antral cavities, which developed secondary to tooth extraction. Another case discussed is a 25-year-old female patient who reported with chief complaints of difficulty in chewing due to resected left side of lower jaw. In these case reports, importance of avoiding extractions, preservation of remaining teeth and conservative management with minimum number of patients' visits has been emphasized.


CONCLUSIONS
Efforts should be made to avoid dental extraction in such cases as chances of bone infection and fracture are more. If patient is partially or completely edentulous only removable type of prosthesis is advisable as bones are hypocalcified and maintenance of oral hygiene is easy with removable prosthesis.
Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, CDER, AIIMS, New Delhi 29, India.
Veena
V
Jain
Senior Resident, Department of Prosthodontics, CDER, AIIMS, New Delhi 29, India.
Gunjan
G
Pruthi
Junior Resident, Department of Prosthodontics, CDER, AIIMS, New Delhi 29, India.
Kailas
K
Mundhe
Hemimandibulectomy; Obturator; Palatal ramp prosthesis