Enamel hypoplasia :

What are the symptoms?

Some of the signs of enamel hypoplasia are obvious, but others are more
difficult to detect and may not be noticeable until they cause major dental
problems. Having thin tooth enamel can lead to:

• pits, tiny groves, depressions, and fissures

• white spots
• yellowish-brown stains (where the underlying layer of dentin is exposed)

• sensitivity to heat and cold

• lack of tooth contact, irregular wearing of teeth

• susceptibility to acids in food and drink

• retention of harmful bacteria

• increased vulnerability to tooth decayand cavities

CAUSES
What causes it?
Defective enamel development can be the result of an inherited condition called
amelogenesis imperfecta, or congenital enamel hypoplasia, which is estimated
to affect about 1 in 14,000 people in the United States. This condition can also
cause unusually small teeth and a variety of dental problems. Congenital enamel
hypoplasia can happen alone or as part of a syndrome affecting other parts of
the body.

Other hereditary syndromes that can cause enamel hypoplasia are:

• Usher syndrome
• Seckel syndrome

• Ellis-van Creveld syndrome

• Treacher Collins syndrome

• otodental syndrome
• 22q11 deletion syndrome (velocardiofacial syndrome)

• Heimler syndrome

Enamel hypoplasia can also result from prenatal issues such as:

• maternal vitamin D deficiency

• maternal weight gain

• maternal smoking
• maternal drug use

• lack of prenatal care

• premature birth or low birth weight

Environmental factors and other problems in infancy that can cause enamel
hypoplasia include:

• trauma to the teeth

• infection

• calcium deficiency
• deficiencies of vitamins A, C, or D
• jaundice, liver disease

• celiac disease
• cerebral palsy due to maternal or fetal infection

How is it treated?
Early screening and diagnosis are crucial. That’s why children should see a dentist
sometime between the appearance of their first tooth and their first birthday.

Treatment depends on the severity of the problem. Goals of treatment are to:

• prevent tooth decay

• maintain a good bite

• preserve tooth structure

• keep teeth looking their best

Some of the smaller defects that aren’t causing decay or sensitivity may not need
treatment right away. They still require monitoring, though. Your dentist will probably
want to apply topical fluoride to help protect teeth.

In the case of sensitivity, cavities, or tooth structure showing wear, treatment options
include:

• Resin-bonded sealant. This can improve tooth sensitivity.

• Resin-based composite fillings. These can be made to closely match tooth color,
which makes them ideal for use on front or back teeth. They’re also quite durable.
• Dental amalgam fillings. These are made from a combination of durable metals. Due
to the silver color, you may not want them on your front teeth.
• Gold fillings. Like dental amalgam fillings, gold fillings are durable but lack a natural
look. They also tend to be the most expensive.
• Crowns. These completely cover the tooth.
• Enamel microabrasion. This is a minimally invasive procedure to improve
appearance of the teeth.
• Professional dental whitening.

There are cases in which a permanent tooth is so malformed that it may be best to extract
it. If so, you might want to consult with an orthodontist first.

Here are a few other tips for keeping your teeth as healthy as possible:

• Brush at least twice a day using a soft toothbrush.

• If cold sensitivity is a problem, rinse with lukewarm water.
• Keep sugary and acidic foods and drinks to a minimum, and always brush and rinse
thoroughly after consuming them.

• See your dentist regularly for check-ups and whenever you suspect a problem.

COMPLICATIONS

What are the potential complications?

Without proper treatment, complications can include:

• cavities, crumbling tooth (caries)

• browning of an entire tooth

• need for tooth extractions

• anxiety about the appearance of your smile

Things that contribute to these complications include poor oral hygiene, eating
too much sugar, and crowded teeth.

Diagnostics
Establishing the correct diagnosis often does not cause problems for an experienced dentist after a primary
examination. Thus, the diagnosis of enamel hypoplasia is limited to:
• study of the patient’s medical history and history, and also information about the course of pregnancy — this is
necessary to establish the most typical reason
• performing a thorough examination of the oral cavity with the help of dental instruments — will help to clarify to which
classification the pathology belongs to one or another person
• conducting a detailed survey of the patient’s parents about when exactly the changes occurred on the child’s teeth.

After establishing the nature and type of illness, individual therapy tactics are drawn up.

Classification :