title: Evaluation of Masticatory Stimulation Effect on the Maxillary Transversal Growth in Ectodermal Dysplasia Children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Severe oligodontia is one of the most important symptoms in children with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED). The growth of the maxilla is a key consideration in restoring their mouth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the transversal maxillary sutural growth, after passive masticatory stimulation, in HED children. We also thought to assess the efficiency and functional outcome of the proposed propriocep-tive passive expansion (PPE) prosthetic device.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 13 children (age 6-11 years) suffering from HED with severe oligodontia. Their maxilla was restored by a PPE device formed from two parts and joined by a passive slide system. Distance between the two parts was noted at the anterior and posterior regions at each control visit over an average of 23 months. We also conducted and filled a satisfaction questionnaire over the same period. We tested the hypothesis that the posterior expansion is greater than the anterior expansion (one-tailed Student's t-test with p-value <0.05). Best-fit linear and quadratic models were used to explore the relationship between age, duration of observation, and the rate of growth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average opening of the device was 2.27 mm in the anterior region and 2.96 mm in the posterior region. The questionnaire response was positive for all children. There are no significant linear or quadratic relationships between the data at the 5% significance level. The posterior expansion is greater than the anterior expansion at the 5% significance level (p-value 0.000394).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further studies are mandatory to assess the reliability of our particular intervention and treatment modalities for these cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PPE device, we propose, assures function and esthetics in the long- term. It enhances stimulation by a passive way that leads to physiological growth of the palatal suture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using this PPE device to restore the maxilla in children with HED promotes physiological growth. The passive nature of this prosthesis helps by eliminating the need for any changes or replacement over time.
  Sfeir E, Nahass MG, Mourad A. Evaluation of Masticatory Stimulation Effect on the Maxillary Transversal Growth in Ectodermal Dysplasia Children. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(1):55-61.
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Elia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sfeir
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Mona G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Nahass
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Ayman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mourad
keywords: Ectodermal dysplasia; Growth; Maxillary suture.