Pathology · patient case question
What condition does this patient have?
Patient case: Generalized enamel defect on a panoramic film
Patient: Adolescent patient referred for evaluation of tooth appearance.
Chief complaint: My teeth have always looked rough and discoloured.
History: Both siblings have similarly affected teeth. No history of childhood illness, trauma, or excess fluoride exposure.
Findings: Panoramic and periapical radiographs show a generalized, uniform reduction in enamel thickness and radiodensity across all teeth in both dentitions. Dentin thickness and pulp chamber size are within normal limits. Apices appear wide on several developing teeth.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Amelogenesis imperfecta
- A. CORRECT. A generalized, hereditary defect confined to ENAMEL, with normal dentin and normal pulp architecture, in both dentitions, is amelogenesis imperfecta. On film the enamel is thin or absent and shows little contrast against dentin.
- B. Dentin dysplasia type II shows abnormal PULP morphology — thistle-tube pulp chambers and pulp stones in the permanent dentition — with the enamel unaffected.
- C. Dentinogenesis imperfecta produces opalescent brown-blue teeth with bulbous crowns, cervical constriction, and progressive PULP OBLITERATION.
- D. Fluorosis is acquired, dose-related, and generally affects only teeth forming during the exposure period, producing mottling rather than a uniform loss of enamel bulk.