hereditary oral disease, any abnormal condition characterized by genetic defects of structures in or around the mouth, such as deformed dentition, ankyloglossia, hereditary gingival fibromatosis, or cleft palate. Many hereditary oral diseases, including Crouzon’s disease, sickle cell anemia, gargoylism, familial amyloidosis, and achondroplasia, are associated with generalized defects as well as oral and facial characteristics.
