Patients with a complex problem set involving multiple levels of altered structure challenge the clinician to develop an individualized, appropriate treatment plan. Dentofacial deficiency, occlusal problems, and loss of tooth structure require intervention to establish stability and regain function, speech, esthetics, and masticatory muscle comfort. The comprehensive examination must quantify each problem to specify the diagnosis for realistic treatment planning. The clinical case of a patient with
Costello syndrome is presented to illustrate essential concepts in diagnosis and treatment of complex cases, including (1) Global Diagnosis of anterior esthetic relationships, (2) occlusal analysis with diagnostic casts verified in
centric relation, (3) comprehensive restoration previewed with a diagnostic wax-up and removable
acrylic resin overlay, (4) adhesive monobody
composite resin onlays that preserve tooth structure, and (5) programmed occlusion, quantified with digital occlusal analysis, to ensure stability and comfort.
Costello syndrome is a neurodevelopmental syndrome causing multisystem effects, including a distinctive craniofacial phenotype,
cardiovascular disease,
intellectual disability,
growth hormone deficiency, and dental abnormalities such as delayed dental development,
bruxism, and demineralized enamel lesions. In the present case, quantification of the patient's problem set allowed precise treatment planning that resulted in predictable restoration.