Down Syndrome Research Paper

Patients with Down Syndrome can present with a variety of oral manifestations such as hypodontia, periodontal disease, premature teeth loss, reduced salivary flow, crowding of teeth in both arches, and decreased occlusal vertical dimension. The intellectual ability of people with Down syndrome varies widely. They present with mild to moderate intellectual disability that restricts their ability to communicate and adjust to their environment, which can add complexity in the overall dental treatment. There is little information in the literature regarding the prosthodontic rehabilitation for patients with Down Syndrome in combination with dental implants. An implant assisted partial removable dental prosthesis can be a cost effective alternative …show more content…
The common dentofacial manifestations are tooth structure anomalies, hypodontia, malocclusion, tooth wear due to bruxism, decreased occlusal vertical dimension (OVD), periodontal disease, hypotonic oro-facial musculature, reduced salivary flow, as well as a high incidence of dental caries. In addition, underdeveloped maxillary arch and mandibular prognathism are common skeletal defects in patients with DS.3-7 All the previously mentioned manifestations can result in masticatory dysfunction in patients with DS.8, 9
The intellectual disability of people with DS varies widely, with mild to moderate intellectual disability, which may have an effect on their overall behavior during any dental procedures. The dental management of patients with DS mostly depends on the level of this disability. In addition to the oral manifestations, the their cooperation may add a complexity to the treatment. Thus, the trust relationship between the patient with DS and the dentist is very important for the treatment outcome.4,