Who ever heard of preschoolers wearing dentures? THEY ARE TOO YOUNG FOR DENTURES! You may have heard this, even from your dentist. You may have even thought this. But guess what? It’s simply not true! Dentures for kids are a necessity if they are missing teeth due to ectodermal dysplasias. Many kiddos affected by ectodermal…
Missing Teeth, Missing Benefits
It’s common for someone to be missing a tooth or even two teeth. Some studies report about 20% of all adults are congenitally missing at least one tooth. More than 5% of us lack one or more second premolars or upper second (lateral) incisors. Though, numerous missing teeth, is less common. Leads to Diagnosis When…
Is There a Genetic Test For Your Type of Ectodermal Dysplasia?
The National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias, just 25 years ago, began supporting research. The research was to identify the genes which cause the 180+ ectodermal dysplasias. Those efforts have paid off. We know many of the causative genes for many of these conditions, but not all. We still have lots of work to do! One of…
Dry Eyes in Ectodermal Dysplasias
By Richard A. Lewis, M.D., M.S. Many different disorders of the eye affect the stability of the tear film; an unstable tear film is a hallmark of “dry eyes”. Proper classification of the cause of a tear deficiency is critical for several reasons: Appropriate therapy depends on proper diagnosis; Certain conditions of dry eyes are…
Understanding Genetics
By Pilar L. Magoulas. M.S., C.G.C. All ectodermal dysplasias are heritable or genetic disorders, which means that they can be inherited or passed on to children. However, it is possible for a child to be the first person in his or her family to be affected by an ectodermal dysplasia. Chromosomes and Genes The body…
Ectodermal Dysplasias: How Nails Can Be Affected
The nails in some types of ectodermal dysplasia may be… poorly developed, small, thick or thin, brittle, discolored, cracked, abnormally curved, or ridged. In addition, they may grow slowly or shed periodically and may develop light spots, lines, or patches. The nails and surrounding cuticle area may become infected by fungus, yeast, or bacteria. If…
8 Things You Should Expect From Your Dental Care Team
The oral manifestations of the ectodermal dysplasias are often complex, and affected individuals might benefit from a team approach to evaluation and planning for treatment. Do not accept all team members as being equally trained and experienced. Ask questions… about the training of key individuals on the team; about the format for team meetings; about…
Treating Common Nasal Problems in Ectodermal Dyspalsias
The following is an excerpt from the NFED’s “A Guide to the Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat in the Ectodermal Dysplasias.” The common nasal problems of ectodermal dysplasias revolve around the management of nasal dryness and are usually managed without surgery. Surgery may be may be of some benefit if there is an associated internal deformity…