Amelogenesis Imperfecta And Gingival Enlargement

Objectives: Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a group of hereditary developmental defects of tooth enamel. There are some reports suggest that, although rare, AI may be associated with gingival enlargement (GE). In this report, we describe one systemically healthy 13-year-old Turkish girl who presented an AI associated with unusual generalized gingival hyperplasia, involving the maxillary and mandibular arches and covering almost all teeth. Methods: Clinical examination and radiological interpretation were performed to determine the AI. Gingival tissue biopsies were taken during the surgical flap procedure. The specimens were placed in 10% formalin and processed in the ototechnicon process, embedded in paraffin, and cut into 5 micron sections with a rotary microtome. Tissues were mounted on slides and histochemically stained with hematoxilen-eosin. Following surgery, patients were placed on a maintenance therapy recall program. Results: At the stratified squamous epithelium, there were hyperplastic changes. Increasing of connective tissue, vascular proliferation and mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltrate were observed under the epithelium. Sixteen months after periodontal surgery, recurrence of gingival enlargement wasn't observed. Conclusion: The findings of this report support the hypothesis that AI may be associated with generalized GE. Regular re-motivation and professional care at frequent recall appointments after periodontal surgery are of great importance in patients with AI and GE. This study was supported partly by Selcuk University Scientific Research Fund.