Oral and maxillofacial surgical considerations for a case of Hutchinson‐Gilford progeria

Abstract

Hutchinson-Guilford progeria is a rare genetic condition showing the stigmata of accelerated ageing combined with severe growth retardation. Patients with this condition show a classical facies and clinical features with an average age of death of 13, usually due to atherosclerotic changes. Craniofacial and dental manifestations include mandibular and maxillary hypoplasia, both vertically and horizontally. Delayed and abnormal tooth eruption and morphology are commonly present. The long-term medical prognosis and eruption potential of individual teeth is important when considering treatment. In addition to this, surgical planning and surgical technique must be modified by the abnormal facial morphology, dermal inelasticity, potential anaesthetic difficulties, and ongoing deterioration in the medical condition. These factors mandate early and definitive intervention for oral surgical conditions. We report the case of a 13-year-old male treated for pericoronitis and oral pain relating to delayed eruption of first permanent molars.