NON-SYNDROMIC CONGENITAL, OLIGODONTIA: MANAGEMENT OF A CASE IN A NIGERIAN CHILD

Congenitally missing teeth (CMT) may present as complete (Anodontia) or partial (Hypodontia or Oligodontia) depending on the number of teeth missing. Although it has been widely reported as a component of a syndrome such as Ectodermal Dysplasia, few reports are available about its sporadic and non-syndromic occurrence. CMT may affect and compromise stomatographic functions such as mastication, speech and esthetics. We report a case of management and rehabilitation of a 5-year-old girl that presented with 8 congenitally missing primary teeth with no evidence of their succedaneous permanent teeth germ. From our investigations, this case was not associated with any known syndrome; hence it is a non-syndromic CMT-oligodontia involving both primary and permanent teeth. We managed both the functional and psychological effect of it on the child and made efforts to preserve the orofacial structures by using Flexible Removable Partial Denture as our treatment modality. It was comfortable for the child, she adapted fast to it, and also the functions, esthetics and her psychological well-being were greatly improved.