Amelogenesis imperfecta: clinical and radiographic features, and restorative management for patients in two families

Objectives: The objective is to describe the clinical and radiographic appearance of the affected individuals in two families with autosomal dominant amelogenesis imperfecta and recommended restorative treatment. Methods: Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a hereditary defect in enamel formation affecting both primary and permanent dentition. The article presents enamel defects involving a father and an 8-year-old boy in one family, a mother and an 11-year-old daughter in another family. The disorder of the patients was assessed with clinical manifestation and radiographic features in enamel. And appropriate management was recommended or performed. Results: A type of hypocalcified AI was diagnosed for patients here. Yellow-brown coloured enamel and heavy deposits of calculus were manifested for the child patients in two families. Dark-brown to black coloured enamel with severe tooth wear and caries was presented in the adult patients. On radiographs enamel has approximately the same radiodensity as dentin. Oral health education was used to guide oral hygiene and appropriate crown restoration could be placed several years later for child patients, and for adult patients, after endodontic therapy or cavity filling, extensive restoration with ceramic or ceramic-cast crown was accomplished. Satisfactory function and esthetics were achieved. Conclusions: Cases presented here illustrated the importance of clinical and radiographic features for the diagnosis of AI and the importance of correct management for the patients. The genetic etiology for this disorder should be further revealed.