Surgical and prosthetic rehabilitation of siblings with Witkop tooth and nail syndrome using zygomatic implants: a familial case series of 3 patients with up to 15-year follow-up

• Published in: Oral and maxillofacial surgery 2023-12, Vol.27 (4), p.711-719
• Main Authors: McMillan, Kale B., McMillan, Dane C., Arce, Kevin, Salinas, Thomas J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case Report; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Prostheses
• ISSN: 1865-1569; 1865-1550; 1865-1569
• DOI: 10.1007/s10006-022-01107-5

Witkop tooth and nail syndrome is a rare, autosomal dominant type of ectodermal dysplasia that can have significant effects on dentition, including hypoplastic and malformed dentition and significantly atrophic maxillas. Endosseous implants have become one possible solution to replace missing teeth, although their use in areas where bone is sparse becomes challenging. Due to the severe atrophy of the maxillary alveolus, extensive preprosthetic surgeries including orthognathic surgery, extensive bone grafting, and sinus floor augmentations have been recommended prior to placement of endosseous dental implants. Although this treatment has shown favorable outcomes, it requires multiple surgical procedures, contributing to a prolonged treatment course and increased morbidity. An alternative treatment of atrophic maxillas in patients with ectodermal dysplasia includes the use of zygomatic implants. This familial case series discusses 3 siblings, all previously diagnosed with Witkop Syndrome, who underwent comprehensive preprosthetic surgery and prosthetic rehabilitation using zygomatic implants with a follow-up period up to 15 years.