Marco Montanari

Oral rehabilitation of children with ectodermal dysplasia

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical treatment of young patients, affected by ectodermal dysplasia (ED), and to possibly establish clinical guidelines. The study design was case series. ED syndromes (EDs) are a heterogeneous group of inherited diseases characterised by abnormal development of tissues of ectodermal origin. The most common form of EDs is X linked hypohidrotic ED (HED). Characteristic triad of HED is oligo-anodontia, hypotricosis, hypo-anhydrosis. Oligo-anodontia is one of the most severe impairment, since it affects chewing, swallowing, speech, esthetics and social relation. Early prosthetic rehabilitation (at 2–3 years of age), with partial or complete dentures, is essential to improve oral function and reduce the social impairment.

EU Trade with the Balkans: Large Room for Growth?

This paper evaluates the potential for growth in trade between the European Union and the Western Balkans. A clear-cut picture emerges from the application of a gravity model. EU trade with the Western Balkans shows considerable room for growth in both imports and exports; on the contrary, EU trade with two Balkan countries, Bulgaria and Romania, is close to, or in some cases exceeds, the values predicted by the model. From this analysis, it follows that trade policy, alongside geographical proximity, plays an important role in shaping trade patterns.

A new biological approach to guided bone and tissue regeneration.

The purpose of this study was to determine the potential of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membranes used for guided bone and tissue regeneration. A patient with insufficient alveolar ridge width in aesthetic zone was enrolled. The patients blood was centrifuged to obtain PRF membranes. Autogenous bone graft was mixed with bovine hydroxyapatite, PRF particles and applied to fill the defect. Five PRF membranes were placed over the bone mix. After 4 months a cone-beam CT was performed to evaluate bone regeneration. The use of PRF as cover membrane permitted a rapid epithelisation and represented an effective barrier versus epithelial cell penetration. After 4 months the site appeared precociously healed and the bone volume increased. This new approach represents a predictable method of augmenting deficient alveolar ridges. Guided bone regeneration with PRF showed limitation compared with guided bone regeneration using collagen membrane in terms of bone gain. The association of collagen membrane and PRF could be a good association.

Oral manifestation of Goltz-Gorlin syndrome in a young girl.

Focal dermal hypoplasia (Goltz-Gorlin syndrome) is a multi-system disorder characterized by involvement of skin, skeletal system, eyes and face. It is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the PORCN gene. We report the case of a young female, focusing on the dental features.