Regional odontodysplasia (ghost teeth) is BEST treated in a growing child by:

Correct answer: D. Extraction of severely affected teeth and removable partial denture (RPD) until skeletal growth is complete

• A. Implants cannot be placed during active craniofacial growth (typically before age 18 in females and 20+ in males) — they do not grow with the alveolar bone.
• B. Fixed bridges are not appropriate in a growing child with regional odontodysplasia — the teeth are too malformed for abutments.
• C. Leaving symptomatic/infected ghost teeth without treatment causes pain and developmental problems — extraction and prosthetic replacement is required.
• D. Correct. Regional odontodysplasia (ghost teeth) produces severely malformed, poorly mineralized teeth that cannot be properly restored. Management includes extracting infected/symptomatic teeth and providing a removable partial denture (RPD) to restore function and esthetics during the growth period. Implants are contraindicated until skeletal growth is complete.