Dentine structure and mineralization in hypocalcified amelogenesis imperfecta: a quantitative X-ray histochemical study.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken in order to establish the structural and mineralization pattern of the response of dentine to alterations in enamel in hypocalcified amelogenesis imperfecta (AI).


METHODS
The images and data obtained with scanning electron microscopy and electron probe X-ray microanalysis in enamel and dentine specimens from control and affected teeth were compared in this study.


METHODS
We compared 46 fragments of permanent teeth from patients with clinically diagnosed hypocalcified AI and 20 normal permanent teeth. All specimens were prepared for electron probe X-ray microanalysis.


RESULTS
Dentine is characterized by thickening of the peritubular dentine and partial obliteration of the dentinal tubules that does not give rise to a compact sclerotic cast. In dentine, calcium levels were significantly higher in teeth with clinically hypocalcified AI in relation with control teeth (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Dentine is affected in hypocalcified AI increasing mineralization (narrower tubules and higher content of calcium) in response to enamel disorder.
Departamento de Histología, Facultad de Medicina y Odontología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain. mcsanchez@histolii.ugr.es
M C
MC
Sánchez-Quevedo
G
G
Ceballos
J M
JM
García
J D
JD
Luna
I A
IA
Rodríguez
A
A
Campos
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000567:Amelogenesis Imperfecta / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D003804:Dentin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D014074:Tooth Calcification
D002118:Calcium