Three-Dimensional Investigation of the Effects of Ectodermal Dysplasia on the Oropharynx An Anatomical Study

OBJECTIVE: To examine the oropharynx of patients with ectodermal dysplasia showing maxillary retrusion and mandibular protrusion with a short and concave facial structure using cone-beam computed tomography method. Ectodermal dysplasia refers to the congenital disorder defined by the abnormal development of the structure originating from the ectoderm. STUDY DESIGN: In order to examine the oropharynx airway, measurements and statistical evaluations were made in 3 levels in sagittal and transversal directions on three-dimensional cone beam computed tomography images obtained from 14 individuals divided into 2 groups as Ectodermal Dysplasia group (n=7) and Control group (n=7). RESULTS: As a result of statistical analysis, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups at any level or direction in metric measurements performed on all 3 planes taken at the sagittal and transversal levels (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings on ectodermal dysplasia are similar to Class III malpositions that show similarity with ectodermal dysplasia.