A Real Mouthful: Understanding And Treating Oculodentodigital Dysplasia

Dentist Blog

From a broken tooth to a misaligned bite, many issues can affect the health and appearance of your teeth. While most are easy to correct, some of these issues may be heredity and impossible to prevent. With an estimated 1000 cases diagnosed worldwide, oculodentodigital dysplasia is an extremely rare condition that affects the teeth, eyes, and fingers. Not only is it a mouthful to say, but oculodentodigital dysplasia is difficult to diagnose and treat. Using this guide, you will clearly understand the disorder's symptoms and treatment options.

Symptoms

During your regular checkup, your dentist may notice some abnormalities in the development of your teeth. Of course, some irregularities in your teeth may stem from childhood habits or improper oral hygiene. However, a dentist will notice the following abnormalities in patients with oculodentodigital dysplasia:

• Abnormally small teeth
• Numerous missing teeth
• Excessive cavities
• Weak enamel
• Heavy discoloration
• Overgrowth of lower jaw

It is important to note that these are only symptoms associated with your teeth and gums. Considering most patients with oculodentodigital dysplasia also suffer from webbed fingers, eye issues, and skeletal deformities, further testing and treatment will be necessary.

Diagnosis

After noticing the prominent physical symptoms of the condition, doctors will order genetic testing for a definitive diagnosis. Through the tests, doctors can determine if you have any changes in your chromosomes, proteins, or genes that may represent oculodentodigital dysplasia. In addition, due to the genetic nature of the condition, your doctor may conduct genetic tests on your parents, siblings, and children.

Treatment

Currently, there is no cure for oculodentodigital dysplasia. Since the disorder displays itself physically, you may forego testing or treatment for the condition. However, complications may arise if you ignore symptoms. Treatment on these specific symptoms is necessary to prevent further complications:

• Dental – Weakened dental health is common with this disorder, so visit your dentist twice per year for regular cleanings and exams. Be sure to brush regularly to prevent tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. Consult an orthodontist to correct issues with your bite. Without a healthy set of teeth and gums, you could be at risk for serious infections, pain, poor speech, difficulty eating, and a low self-esteem.
• Visual – Due to the smaller shape of the patient's eyes, oculodentodigital dysplasia can lead to many eye issues. If you have the condition, you are at a higher risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma. Treatment for these eye-related issues is imperative to prevent vision impairments and possible blindness.

Living with oculodentodigital dysplasia is a possibility with regular visits to your dentist and doctor. Visit a dentist like Dr. Caroline Krivuzoff-Sanderson today to find out more if you have this disorder.

19 February 2015