Commentary on mini dental implant insertions in children with ectodermal dysplasia

Abstract

Dental implant insertions in children raises significant concerns related to both ethical and medical aspects. On the other hand, some children suffer from several problems such as hypodontia/anodontia and malformations of teeth due to severe conditions like ectodermal dysplasia. In such cases, mini dental implants can be a promising option in enhancing the overall quality of life with positive impact on oral function. However, there are several concerns such as growth disturbances of the jaws since oral implants are considered to behave similarly to ankylosed teeth and become submerged due to the growth process associated with continued eruption of adjacent natural teeth. Currently, there is a lack of clinical research and systematic review articles in literature that evaluates and compares the outcomes, risks, and advantages of mini dental implant insertions in children with syndromes such as ectodermal dysplasia.