Practice abstract
British Dental Journal 194, 245 - 251 (2003)
Published online: 8 March 2003 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4809925
The interdisciplinary management of hypodontia: background and role of paediatric dentistry
J H Nunn1, N E Carter2, T J Gillgrass3, R S Hobson4, N J Jepson5, J G Meechan6 & F S Nohl7
- Young people with hypodontia need early referral to a hypodontia team for optimal management
- Hypodontia occurs in up to 7% of the UK population but is more prevalent in some conditions, notably, ectodermal dysplasias, Down syndrome and clefts of the lip andlor palate
- Specialist paediatric dental care is essential to ensure retention of the reduced number of teeth
- Optimization of spaces orthodontically combined with composite additions, resin retained bridges, veneers, onlays and tooth transplants contribute to an improvement in aesthetics and function.
The interdisciplinary management of hypodontia:
- Paediatric dentistry
- Restorative dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Oral surgery
- The relationship between an interdisciplinary team and the general dental practitioner
Abstract
This paper is the first of a series on the comprehensive management of young people with hypodontia. The paper looks at the background to the condition, the possible aetiological factors, the prevalence of hypodontia and other related conditions. Lastly there is consideration of the role of the paediatric dentist in interdisciplinary management of the affected child and adolescent patient.
- Professor and Head of Department, Department of Public and Child Dental Health, Dental School and Hospital, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2, Ireland;
- Consultant in Orthodontics, School of Dental Sciences, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4BW, England;
- Senior Lecturer/Honorary Consultant in Orthodontics, School of Dental Sciences, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4BW, England;
- Senior Lecturer/Honorary Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Sciences, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4BW, England;
- Senior Lecturer/Honorary Consultant in Oral Surgery, School of Dental Sciences, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4BW, England;
- Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, Newcastle Dental Hospital, Richardson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AZ;
- Consultant in Orthodontics, Dental Institute, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9YW, Scotland
Correspondence to: J H Nunn1
Department of Public and Child Dental Health, Dental School and Hospital, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2, Ireland
e-mail: june.nunn@dental.tcd.ie
