Dr. Divya Ramanan
Specialist Orthodontist
Hypodontia: Considerations for planning and management.
Hypodontia (the congenital absence of 1-6 teeth, excluding 8s) affects 2-7% of the population and can present a significant orthodontic and restorative challenge. Teeth most affected are second premolars, maxillary lateral incisors, or mandibular central incisors. Less common, but far more complicated to treatment plan and treat is oligodontia (agenesis of >6 teeth).
The age-old dilemma in hypodontia cases is whether to open space or close space. While orthodontic treatment alone can often eliminate or reduce the need for prosthodontic replacement, this is not appropriate for all malocclusions. An additional factor to consider is patient age: orthodontic space closure is more predictable in adolescents. Frequently, a multi-disciplinary approach is needed - particularly especially when dealing with multiple missing units in a quadrant, or missing teeth in the aesthetic zone, or in adults unwilling to accept a lengthy orthodontic treatment time.
Divya is an Otago BDS and DClinDent grad. After working as a house surgeon for CCDHB, she moved to Auckland where she the dentist for the maternal diabetes oral health pilot in Counties manukau for two years. Another 3 year short stint in Dunedin saw Divya graduate from Ortho in 2018. Since 2019, she has worked in private practice and also as part of the team at Hutt Hospital providing orthodontic care for patients with clefts and various craniofacial conditions and oligodontia. Divya now works primarily at Thorndon Orthodontics which was opened in Feb 2022. Outside of work, she's usually spending time with her family including husband, toddler and dogs.
Schedule
We would like to welcome student observers to the July branch meeting. In order to give everyone a chance to mingle, we will be serving canapés rather than a sit-down dinner. The cost has been reduced to $35 accommodate this. RSVP’s for food have now closed.
If you are attending in person, please complete the RSVP form. If you are attending the presentation via Zoom, please see the Zoom meeting link in the July newsletter email you will be sent ahead of the meeting. Thank you.
Schedule
6.15pm-7.30pm: Drinks and Canapés
7.30pm–7.45pm: Branch meeting
7.45pm–9pm: Presentation (Prompt 9pm finish)