Craniofacial manifestations and dental considerations in association with achondroplasia: Clinical insight and report of a case

Abstract

Achondroplasia is of clinical interest in dental practice because of its distinctive craniofacial features, which include relative macrocephaly, a short posterior cranial base, depressed nasal bridge, and maxillary hypoplasia. Treatment planning for such patients is often considered challenging as the presence of a large head, implanted shunt, airway obstruction, and difficulty in head control require special precautions during dental management. The present article reports the craniofacial manifestations of a 14-year-old male patient having achondroplasia, considerations taken in his dental management and the management done.

Keywords

• achondroplasia
• craniofacial manifestations
• dental management
• malocclusion
• midface hypoplasia