Ectodermal Dysplasia (Anhidrotic Type) With Complete Anodontia

The importance of the deciduous and permanent teeth in the development of the face and jaws has been a controversial problem for a long time. One purpose of this investigation was to determine by serial roentgenograms of the skull the development of the face and jaws from the age of 1 year and 10 months to that of 5 years and 4 months in a patient with complete anodontia. A further purpose was to compare this development with the normal as to size, proportion and rate of growth. These particular aspects have been neglected in previous studies. REVIEW OF LITERATURE The literature contains a number of reviews of anodontia1and ectodermal dysplasia of the anhidrotic type, in which there is a lack of sweat and sebaceous glands, hair and teeth.2 The technic of assessing craniofacial development by serial roentgenograms has been described by Broadbent3and Brodie.4