A retrospective study of the prosthodontic management of patients with amelogenesis imperfecta.

PURPOSE: This article reports on a retrospective study on patients with a diagnosis of amelogenesis imperfecta and on their prosthodontic management, oral health status, and attitudes toward their condition.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The study comprised 15 patients and consisted of a clinical evaluation and questionnaire. Clinical examination included records of types of restorations and cements used, rating of restoration quality, as well as complications and periodontal variables.

RESULTS

The 15 patients had a total of 213 prosthetic restorations. The median age of the restorations was 60 months. Following the California Dental Association's system, all restorations were rated as acceptable to excellent, with one exception. During the follow-up period, four (2%) restorations had been recemented and 16 (8%) restorations had been redone, five (2%) because of porcelain fractures and 11 (5%) because of caries; two (1%) endodontic treatments were performed after prosthetic restoration. Plaque and Bleeding Indices were 28% and 21%, respectively, while pocket depths of more than 3 mm were found at 7% of all tooth surfaces. All patients judged their condition as having affected them negatively. However, after prosthodontic rehabilitation, patients experienced an improvement in self-esteem.

CONCLUSION

Patients with severe clinical manifestations of amelogenesis imperfecta obtained extensive prosthodontic treatment at an early age. The restorations had in general performed well, and all patients were affected positively as a result.