Observational analysis on macroscopic periodontal anatomy in individuals affected by ectodermal dysplasia. A case-series study

Background and Aim: The term “Ectodermal Dysplasia”(ED) defines avast and heterogeneous group of rare genetic disorders inducing anomalous development of two or more structures of ectodermal ori-gin. No description of the periodontal anatomy in ED affected people is reported in the literature. Due to the oligodontia that frequently characterises ED people and due to the very common implant rehabilitation they go through when adults, it is strongly important to fill this lack of knowledge. This study aims to clinically analyze periodontal anatomy in young-adults affected by ED.Methods: At the baseline, dental and periodontal parameters (plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, bleeding on probing and tooth mobility) were collected on 11 individuals affected by ED. After that all subjects underwent to a session of professional oral hygiene, which included specific motivational instructions.The biometric parameters were re-evaluated after 7–10 days, and a standardized analysis of the periodontal phenotype thickness was carried out using specific chromatic probes (Colorvue®Biotype Probes, HuFriedy). Results: All biometric parameters underwent to a statistically significant improvement, functional to the following periodontal analysis. A strong prevalence of thin phenotype was recorded: 105 sites out of the 114 examined. A peculiar feature of the keratinized tissue was identified. A very smooth surface with frequent vessels in transparency and a particular laxity are just some of the characteristics observed, not describable by means of the ordinary periodontal indexes. Conclusions: On the basis of the etiopathogenesis of ED and therefore of the embryogenetic process of oral tissues, the results obtained seem to confirm a characteristic feature of the periodontal complex. Future investigations supported by specific histological considerations are strongly recommended.