Ectodermal dysplasia is a hereditary disorder characterized by dysplasia or even aplasia of ectodermal tissues. This disorder is associated with congenital absence of multiple teeth and poorly developed alveolar ridges. Affected patients for this reason need dental prosthetic treatment in order to fulfill their functional and aesthetic requirements. In most cases natural teeth are not sufficient for a healthy fixed or partial prostheses to be constructed. For this reason, dental implants are required to support these prostheses. Or perhaps a partial prostheses can be done but the patient cannot accept it because they can restrict him/her socially and affect his/her self-confidence. In this case the patient came to the Department of Oral Implantology/Faculty of Dentistry/Istanbul University/Turkey with the complaint of an explanted implant. She had a severe oligodontia which we treated with a 22-U fixed prosthetic restoration supported by eight implants and her natural teeth. The fixed prosthesis has been functionally used for almost 1 year and no bony or soft tissue defect has been detected so far. In general, the publications related to ectodermal dysplasia are in case report form. If these case reports had been supported by more longterm studies and treatment outcomes, decisions concerning the dental treatments of these patients would be given more easily.
Unknown implications and possible risks of osseointegration and remodelling in these patients may restrict the application of implant treatment. These studies may facilitate the treatment selection and lead to the safe use of dental implants.