Oral manifestation of Achondroplasia

 # An outstanding oral manifestation of achondroplasia is:

A. Rampant caries

B. Periodontal disease

C. Overcrowding of teeth

D. Supernumerary teeth

The correct answer is C. Overcrowding of teeth.

Achondroplasia is the most common form of short-limb dwarfism. It occurs in all races and with equal frequency in males and females. An individual with achondroplasia has a disproportionate short stature -- the head is large and the arms and legs are short when compared to the trunk length. Other signs are a prominent forehead and a depressed bridge of the nose. Many of these children die during the first year of life. Deficient growth in the cranial base is evident in many children that survive.

Important: The maxilla may be small with the resultant crowding of the teeth.

Note: A Class III malocclusion is very common.

Remember: The oral manifestations of the following disorders in children:

• Gigantism: enlarged tongue, mandibular prognathism, teeth are usually tipped to the buccal or lingual side, owing to enlargement of the tongue. Roots may be longer than normal.

• Pituitary dwarfism: the eruption rate and the shedding of the teeth are delayed, clinical crowns appear smaller as do the roots of the teeth, the dental arch as a whole is smaller causing malocclusion, and the mandible is underdeveloped.

How to take care of your child's teeth ?

Though we all are aware of the fact that prevention is better and cheaper than cure and it is prudent to take preventive measures in health care rather than curing once we are afflicted by the disease, we seldom apply that in our practice. It is good to see that people are oriented more towards preventive measures and have started to get regular health check up and dental check ups these days. Even the children are getting more care than they used to get in the past, may be because of awareness, availability of health care facilities, or rise in the economic standard of the households. People may not have idea about how they should take care of their child's teeth even if they are willing to. This short article attempts to address the concerns of such parents.

1. When should the first dental visit be?

This is a common question people are unsure about. When should they take their children to the dentist ? The first dental visit should be at around the time of eruption of first deciduous teeth (i.e. 6 months) and not later than 1 year of age of the baby. If your child has teeth since birth (natal teeth) or if a tooth erupts within one month of birth (neonatal teeth), that may traumatize the delicate gums of the opposite arch. You need to check that on your own and consult a dentist if necessary. If your child has got cleft lip and palate since birth, the repair should be done as soon as possible consulting a oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

MCQs on Etiology of Malocclusion - Orthodontics

# Malocclusion can be progressive in:
A. Class I
B. Class II
C. Class III
D. Combination of both class I and Class III

# Retained mandibular deciduous central incisors will result in:
A. Lingual eruption of mandibular permanent incisors
B. Labial eruption of mandibular permanent incisors
C. Impaction of mandibular permanent incisors
D. Ankylosis of mandibular permanent incisors

MCQs on Child Psychology - Pedodontics

# Most realistic approach in managing a difficult child in dental clinic is:
A. Disregard the behavior of child
B. Make child familiar with clinical atmosphere
C. Physical methods to make child accept the treatment
D. None of the above

# Hand over mouth exercise (HOME) is effective behavioral modification technique in the age group of:
A. 3 to 6 years
B. Under 3 years
C. 6 to 9 years
D. Above 9 years