Oligodontia: What are the options?

All is not lost, indeed there are several good signs. You have some permanent teeth present and in general they seem to be in good condition and they have good bone support. The main problem with Oligodontia is that if the teeth are missing then the bone that would normally be there supporting them never develops. Obviously one of your therapists has realized this and is trying to build up the ridge on the lower left. There is a good argument for doing this in all the spaces where the teeth are missing up to the first molars. Then it would be possible to place dental implants, and when these are secure, they could support dental restorations. So this would be the foundation for the therapy required. It will be tough, uncomfortable at times and the cost will be high. But this will probably be the advice that you will receive from most therapists if you want to move towards a full, fixed dentition. I wish you the very best.

One option is to have some beautiful bridge work done on your upper arch. YesI know this is an implant forum. These teeth appear to have good bone support and if properly cared for should last many years. A well made provisional bridge can buy you time and immediately increase your appearance and esteem, if cost is a problem. The lower arch is more challenging. You have much work to be done there. Dr Hunt has given you good advice. You may consider a precision attachment partial down below as an option. Ultra short implants could possibly be an option depending on bone morphology, maybe obviating the need for extensive bone grafting. Not possible to tell from X-ray presented. You ask for options. I hope this helps in some way. Good luck.

Much more data is needed; including evaluation for tooth size discrepancies and arch length. These are challenging cases; I am currently working with a similar case. I would advise use of Digital Smile Design software as a foundation for planning the final prosthetic outcome- using existing facial and oral photos (coordination with an Orthodontist, Prosthodontist, and Surgeon would be beneficial). This data will be coordinated with CBCT data to allow consideration for possible surgical implant placement and/or need for preliminary bone grafting- or need for preliminary orthodontic treatment. Going about this without a comprehensive end-result plan will likely lead to disappointing results.

Also be aware: there is pending Federal legislation ("Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act") https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/6689/text this legislation is designed to provide Federal funding for those with congenital facial and oral defects such as yours, and has been endorsed by a large number of national organizations. The bill is currently in committee in both the House and Senate chambers.

I have treated cases similar to yours before and they have been successful. So take heart that a good result can be achieved. I have also just started restoring another case like yours (she has one less tooth than your case and most of the permanent teeth she has are malformed). Her treatment is going well and I have temporised her teeth (along the smile design concept) in resin build ups and started small grafting procedures. My recommendation to this particular patient has been that we work on her teeth and implants over about 5 to 10 years and slowly replace her missing teeth. This way she can afford the treatment (by spreading it over time) and the discomfort is minimal. This is why I have done temporary builds ups in resin – she has function, a great smile, and I can elect to fix teeth permanently; either one, 2 or 3 at a time - and she has control over what we do because there is no rush. So there is hope for you. The previous comments are correct. Much more information is required, but my guess is that where teeth are missing you have minimal bone and will require grafting in certain places which will then allow for implants to be placed. This can be done one or more at a time and I would be conservative with this approach (probably using calcium sulphate and calcium phosphate initially). However the comment about partial dentures is also relevant. Previous to implants being available (about 30 years ago) this would have been a standard treatment. While these would not be as good as implants and associated crowns, bridges or implant retained dentures; they would be acceptable. The other comment about bridging the existing teeth would be another option for the upper arch but I would possibly caution against this because of the excessive stress on the permanent teeth, the destruction of good tooth structure and the possibility that the bridges would break due to the spans they would have to cover. Most importantly I would advise you seek expert advice (and perhaps from several specialists). The specialists you would be wise to consult with are prosthodontists and probably oral surgeons. You may have already spoken to some but if so, I worry that you do not yet appear to have a clear understanding of what is available to you and what treatment direction you are going to follow. Having said this, it appears you have had recent grafting done on the lower left jaw - so I presume some one is helping you. I understand your frustration and it seems this is affecting your mental health. Therefore in your case I think it is imperative that you chose someone who fully explains your options and who you are comfortable with (obviously they also need to be competent). Most importantly they should empathise with your situation and work closely with you over the years to come. Do not despair, there are many such practitioners around - your quest is to find some and select whoever you feel will serve you best.

I had a similar case like yours, 22 yo female with missing permanent teeth. I made her SnapOn bridge and she was happy with the bridge.

Where do you live? If you live in a major metropolitan area there may be a dental school. These clinics are excellent sites. I am not qualified to comment on the emotional stress this has caused you except to say try to stay positive. There are still plenty of good people out there who want to help you. Even a partial or a denture can still give you a good quality of life. I have a friend who is 14 year old patient of mine with another congenital disorder. I removed all his malformed teeth and made dentures. We are going to place implants. Things can be done a little at a time. He went from a sad lonely child to a smiling confident teen. You too will make it through this.

Los comentarios anteriores están basados en valiosas consideraciones . No obstante , sería bueno estudiar un poco mas su condición de salud , la cual pudiese estar afectada por algún Síndrome en el que las manifestaciones bucales de Oligodoncia serían de un valor cardinal en un posible diagnóstico en el que esté afectada la función renal , por ejemplo. Esto haría pensar un poco mas en cualquier intervención quirúrgica importante. Si el problema fuera solo económico , la solución protésica incluiría también una Sobreprótesis , la cual estaría soportada por los dientes que tienes presentes en tu boca , convirtiéndolos en pilares para esa Prótesis , la cual puede ser Removible , pero aunque así sea , te permitiría comer y corregir además el aspecto estético . Esta solución la he empleado en pacientes con limitaciones de salud y económicas y han vivido muchos años con sus Prótesis , la cuales tienen una buena estabilidad siempre que el paciente esté consciente de la necesidad de cuidar al detalle los dientes que sustentan dicha Sobreprótesis.

It appears that lateral incisor sites deficient bone width for implant placement without lateral grafting so go with 3 unit bridges each side as it appears headed. Distalize upper molars after anteriors splinted. If adequate bone width in premolar sites, place two short implants each side and splint them each side. Then finish lateral grafting lower right; place short implants at #20, 22, 27, 29 and 3 unit bridges each side......BAM!

Hi, I was also born with similar - I have only 2 adult teeth and I still have my baby molars. I had many braces and then had a bone graft from my hip to my jaw. This then allowed for a bridge to be placed, both upper and lower jaw.