Oral rehabilitation of young adults with amelogenesis imperfecta.
OBJECTIVE
This article describes the restorative management of two patients in whom the diagnosis of amelogenesis imperfecta was not made until young adulthood.


METHODS
Amelogenesis imperfecta is a variable developmental abnormality of the tooth enamel that affects relatively few persons. Previous case reports have focused largely on the early management of children and young adolescents. However, some patients may not be diagnosed correctly or may not request dental treatment until they are older, as with the two cases presented. In some instances, parents fail to appreciate the importance of early intervention.


RESULTS
Both patients required intensive preventive therapy and extensive restorative treatment over several years. The correct sequencing of treatment phases was required to achieve relief of pain and provide satisfactory function and esthetics.


CONCLUSIONS
The two cases presented illustrate the degree of complexity that extended restorative treatments can involve, especially following severe tooth wear and poor bonding of restorations to the affected enamel.
Yip
H K
HK
Oral Diagnosis, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, People's Republic of China. hkyip@hkusua.hku.hk
Smales
Roger J
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000567:Amelogenesis Imperfecta / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003442:Crowns; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000628:therapy; D003744:Dental Enamel Hypoplasia / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D003801:Dental Veneers; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009065:Mouth Rehabilitation; D012390:Root Canal Therapy; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000628:therapy; D014716:Vertical Dimension