SHELL TEETH OR GHOST TEETH
INTRODUCTION:
Shell teeth or ghost teeth are characteristic feature of dentinogenesis imperfecta II, i.e. Brandywine type dentinogenesis imperfecta. This disorder was found in Brandywine triracial isolate in southern Maryland.
CLINICAL FEATURES:
- The crowns of the deciduous and permanent teeth wear rapidly after eruption and multiple pulp exposures are seen in primary teeth.
- Colour of teeth has unusual transluscent/opalescent hue.
- Enamel lost earlier due to fracture; defective DEJ and dentin is worn off.
RADIOGRAPHIC FEATURES:
Deciduous dentition shows ‘shell teeth’ appearance due to enlarged pulp chambers and root canals. The permanent teeth have pulpal spaces that are either smaller than normal or completely obliterated.
HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FEATURES:
Histopathology of teeth in Shields type III has not been adequately documented.
TREATMENT:
- Treatment of these patients is directed towards preventing the loss of enamel and subsequent loss of dentin through attrition.
- Crown capping may be done on teeth to avoid attrition. Cast metal crowns on posterior teeth and jacket crowns on anterior teeth have been used with considerable success.
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