Mineral features of connective dental hard tissues in hypoplastic amelogenesis imperfecta.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the mineral features of dentin and cementum in hypoplastic Amelogenesis imperfecta AI teeth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-four (44) teeth cleaned and free of caries were used: 20 control and 24 affected by hypoplastic amelogenesis imperfecta. Thirty-two teeth were studied by pQCT, cut in sections, and analyzed under microradiography, polarized light microscopy, and confocal Raman spectroscopy. Eight teeth were observed under scanning electron microscope. Four teeth were used for an X-ray diffraction. The mineral density data were analyzed statistically with the Mann-Whitney U test, using GraphPad InStat software.

RESULTS

Both coronal dentin and radicular dentin were less mineralized in AI teeth when compared to control (respectively 6.2% and 6.8%; p < .001). Root dentinal walls were thin and irregular, while the cellular cementum layers were thick, reaching sometimes the cervical region of the tooth. Regular dentinal tubules and sclerotic dentin areas were noticed. Partially tubular or cellular dysplastic dentin and hyper-, normo-, or hypomineralized areas were noticed in the inter-radicular areas of hypoplastic AI teeth. The main mineral component was carbonate hydroxyapatite as explored by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

CONCLUSIONS

Dentin and cementum in hypoplastic AI teeth are (i) hypomineralized, (ii) constituted of carbonate hydroxyapatite, and (iii) of non-homogenous structure.