Alveolar bone growth in response to endosteal implants in two patients with ectodermal dysplasia

The occurrence of alveolar bone growth after placement of endosteal mandibu lar implants in two edentulous children is reported. The fact that alveolar bone growth occurred in the absence of natural teeth suggests that its gro wth and preservation is dependent upon biomechanical factors rather than th e presence of teeth, as is traditionally thought.