To study the early removable prosthetic treatment of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) and evaluate the clinical outcome.

Ten young boys (aging from 4 to 7 years) with HED were treated by a series of prosthetic treatments using removable partial and complete dentures. The strategy of the prosthetic treatment was made on the basis of their age, the development of dentition and jaws. In order to promote the eruption of the partially erupting teeth, the Intaglio surface of the removable dentures was trimmed out in the path of eruption. All children were followed up in our clinic every six months for modifications and/or replacement of the dentures to avoid possible complications resulting from the jaw growth.

All children adapted to the removable dentures during 1-8 weeks. Esthetics, phonetic function and swallowing were satisfactorily promoted. The retention of the dentures was not optimal because of the poor anatomical conditions. Only two patients were satisfied with the retention of their dentures, but nine patients reported that their chewing functions improved significantly. The jaw relationships of all children kept stable except one child who gave up wearing his lower complete denture and developed concave facial pattern.

Early removable prosthetic treatment may help promote the overall life quality and the growth of temporomandibular joints and maxillofacial region for children with HED. The arrangement and occlusion of artificial teeth and the shape of denture base polishing surface were the most important factors influencing denture stability. The children with HED didn′t have stable jaw relations, so that their jaw relations were established according to relevant anatomic landmarks during the clinic procedure, which was much different from that of adults. Patient compliance was very important for the long-term effects.