title: Osseointegration of Dental Implants in a Patient with Hajdu-cheney Syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hajdu-Cheney Syndrome (HCS) is a rare hereditary bone metabolism disorder characterized by acro-osteolysis, short stature, craniofacial changes, periodontitis and premature tooth loss. Extensive search of the current literature revealed no reports of implant placement in patients with HCS.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 22-year old woman with osteoporosis, generalized advanced chronic periodontitis and premature tooth loss was referred to the Postgraduate Clinic of Periodontology, University of Athens-Greece. The patient was diagnosed in 2001 with HCS. The patient received non-surgical periodontal treatment and several teeth were extracted due to extensive alveolar bone loss. After careful consideration of the possible implications deriving from the patient's condition and having taken her young age into account, initially, a dental implant was placed in the upper right first premolar region. Specific protocols such as longer healing periods were implemented, so five years after placement and successful osseointegration of this implant, four additional dental implants were placed in the posterior regions of the maxilla and the mandible. Prosthetic rehabilitation followed 6 months after implant placement. Upon completion of periodontal treatment, the patient was enrolled in a periodontal maintenance program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical and radiographic examination of the patient during the periodontal maintenance program after implant placement revealed no abnormalities in the implant region.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with HCS suffer from periodontitis, bone destruction and premature tooth loss. This case indicates the successful osseointegration of dental implants in patients with HCS. However, further research is required in order to determine the predictability of dental implant placement in those patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Panagiota
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dokou
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Karoussis
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Papavasiliou
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Phophi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kamposiora
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, 10 Monis Petraki Str, Evaggelismos, Athens 11521, Greece.
authors.forename: Theophilos P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Vrahopoulos
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Vrotsos
keywords: Acro-osteolysis; Dental implants; Hajdu-cheney syndrome; Osteoporosis; Periodontitis