Regional odontodysplasia

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 533.

This is an uncommon developmental anomaly, typically affecting the primary teeth and corresponding permanent successors within a segment of the dentition. The anterior teeth are more commonly affected than the posterior teeth and the defect may cross the midline. The term 'ghost teeth' is sometimes applied to reflect the radiographic appearance seen. Affected patients may present with abscesses prior to the eruption of the teeth. The abnormal teeth have poorly developed crowns with enamel and dentine changes, large pulp chambers, and open apices. The permanent teeth may be less severely affected than the primary predecessors.

Treatment

The removal of teeth affected by regional odontodysplasia is often necessary. As this is often the case in the primary dentition, consideration then needs to be given to management of the affected permanent successors. While there are reports of the effective use of etch-retained restorations in these cases, the teeth are often slow to erupt, with a distinctive local gingivitis, and the pulpal morphology is such that infection is a frequent outcome. Root development may be slow but restoratively useful. A case-by-case approach to treatment planning is required. Block removal of unerupted teeth with surrounding bone is not required.