Chennai  :

More than the difficulty she faced while eating and speaking, it was the curious stares of people that upset 17-year-old Manju (name changed). The teenager, who was suffering from a genetic disorder, lost all her teeth by the age of 14, and found it difficult to step into college this year with dentures.

Conventionally doctors would graft the hip bone and give permanent implants in a procedure that spans over a year. But doctors at Rajan Dental Institute here performed a new technique where they grafted bones from her cheekbone and gave her implants – all within a week.

At the age of four, the patient was diagnosed with Papillon Lefevre Syndrome, a rare, genetic autosomal disorder that affects 1 in a million people. “It leads to progressive bone loss around teeth, and subsequent teeth loss. It is often treated by the usage of removable dentures from a very young age,” said Oral and Maxillo Facial surgeon Dr R Gunaseelan.

Two months ago, the doctor and his team performed a procedure called Zygoma Implant technique, in which the cheekbone’s support is used to implant.

“On the fourth day after Zygoma Implant surgery, Manju was given permanent artificial teeth that closely resemble her natural teeth. She is now able to talk without the fear of her dentures falling off and is more confident as an individual,” said the doctor.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Chennai / by Janani Sampath, TNN / August 07th, 2015