Digital Complete Dentures Advance Pediatric GAPO Rehabilitation

Children with hereditary edentulous face complex oral rehabilitation challenges due to impaired masticatory function, speech development deficits, and psychosocial impacts. Conventional complete dentures often fail to accommodate dynamic jawbone growth and anatomical variations in pediatric patients. This study investigates the restorative efficacy of digital complete dentures (DCDs) in a 5-year-old patient with genetically confirmed GAPO syndrome (ANTXR1 gene mutation). The patient's chief complaint was that congenital edentulism since birth affected chewing and requested restoration. The patient was presenting with congenital edentulous, obstructed tooth eruption, characteristic craniofacial features. Considering the characteristics of jawbone development in children, removable dentures as an initial treatment can avoid interfering with normal jaw growth. DCDs was advised for this patient. A hybrid workflow combining traditional impressions and facial scanning established a virtual patient. The maxillomandibular relationships were determined by rim wax. The patient's facial scanning data provided guidance for tooth arrangement. The DCDs was designed with personalized dentition of primary teeth. After try-in procedures, the DCDs were milled with dual-shaded monolithic denture base. The retention and occlusion of the denture were good. One tender point was subsequently modified in one-week follow-up. The patient's masticatory function and appearance were greatly improved. Digital technology enables personalized design and improves accuracy. Digital technology archives treatment data for convenient denture replacement in the future. This approach provides an efficient and adaptable solution for children with hereditary anodontia, with long-term clinical advantages.