The ultrastructure of the dental tissues in dentinogenesis imperfecta in man.

Eight primary incisors obtained from a child with dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI) type II were examined histologically using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In both the DI and control teeth, large dentinal canals were observed along the midline of the crown distributed mesial-distally and coursing towards the pulp. Variably-structured mantle dentine was seen in the DI teeth ranging from tubular to virtually atubular. Enamel separation occurred at the dentine-enamel junction despite apparently normal scalloping. In the enamel, fractures occurred along accentuated striae of Retzius where ultrastructurally there was prism bending and discontinuity. The structure of DI teeth probably results from a structural or regulatory protein abnormality and irregular epithelial-mesenchymal interaction. The combined influence of these factors appears to cause variable histologic appearances and rates of tissue deposition.