A child's body is a complex, dynamically changing system where transformations take place in a relatively short period oftime. One ofthe main differences between a child's body and an adult's one is a rapid growth and high lability, susceptibility to external influences. On average, a child's weight increases by about 6 times from the moment of birth (about 3,5 kg) to 7 years (about 20 kg), and by 15 years - by 13-15 times (40-45 kg). Nutrition and respiration are very important in the formation of all organs and systems during this time, that is directly related to the functioning of the dentoalveolar system. High-quality chewing of food affects not only the normalization of the digestive system as a whole and the assimilation of necessary nutrients but also the myodynamic balance of the muscles of the maxillofacial area, that determines the correct breathing, swallowing, posture. The presence of congenital pathology in the maxillofacial area is a risk factor for delaying or disrupting the development of the entire body as a whole and requires the earliest possible correction.
The issue of children's prosthetics has remained controversial for a long period of time. The design proposed for a child must meet a number of requirements:
► restore the function lost due to the presence of a defect;
► do not interfere with the natural growth of a human skeleton;
► do not injure the surrounding structures;
► be made of bioinert materials that are harmless to a child's body;
► contribute to the rapid adaptation of the child.
In the case of congenital pathology of the dentoalveolar area, timely prosthetics is aimed at preventing functional problems, psycho-emotional disorders in a child's body.
According to the etiological factors, congenital pathology of maxillofacial problems is divided into: