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Ectodermal Dysplasia Dental — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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ModeratePaediatric DentistryEctodermal Dysplasia DentalORE Part 1

Which pattern of congenital tooth absence is most commonly associated with ectodermal dysplasia?

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Correct answer: EAbsence of six or more permanent teeth

The correct answer is E. Ectodermal dysplasia commonly causes marked congenital tooth agenesis, typically oligodontia; this denotes absence of six or more permanent teeth, excluding third molars. Anodontia may occur in severe cases, but it is not an option. Absence of only one tooth is mild hypodontia and does not describe the usual extensive pattern. Supernumerary teeth are the opposite developmental abnormality. Affected teeth may be small and conical rather than enlarged, so generalised macrodontia is inappropriate. Division of a tooth germ describes gemination and is unrelated to the characteristic tooth-number defect in ectodermal dysplasia.

Reference: Kratochvilova L, et al. Ectodermal dysplasia: important role of complex dental care in its interdisciplinary management. European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry. 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35722846/