Study on tooth development, past, present, and future

Diverse effects of c-src deficiency on molar tooth development and eruption in mice

C-src deficiency is characterized by osteopetrosis due to impaired bone resorption by hypofunctional osteoclasts and the resultant failure of tooth eruption. In preliminary observations, we frequently encountered erupted molars in c-src deficient mice unlike in other osteopetrotic animals. Here we examine the effects of c-src deficiency on the development of molar teeth with an emphasis on the spatial relation of growing teeth with the surrounding bones. In c-src deficient mice, the magnitude of tooth impaction differed considerably among the types of molars; all maxillary 1st molars were totally impacted deep in the alveolar sockets, whereas most mandibular 1st molars fully erupted into oral cavity. Distribution of osteoclasts in the alveolar bone was identical among all types of molars, and electron microscopy revealed signs of bone resorbing activity in these osteoclasts despite the absence of a ruffled border. From early development, the alveolar space was much narrower in the upper molar tooth germs than in the lower ones in both wild type and homozygous animals, and particularly so in the upper 1st molars. Current observations thus indicate a significant contribution of "hypofunctional osteoclasts" in c-src deficient mice in molar tooth development except for the upper 1st molars, which appear to require highly functional osteoclasts to gain sufficient space for them to grow normally. Taken together, these findings on the seemingly tooth-type specific effects of c-src deficiency on the development and eruption of molar teeth in c-src deficient mice can be attributed to the given differential spatial relation of the respective tooth germs with the surrounding bones in the presence of hypofunctional osteoclasts.

Morphological and clinical considerations of first and second permanent molar eruption disorders

Tooth eruption is a complex biological process which starts from the site of development in the jaw bone until the teeth reach their final functional position in the chewing plane. Various factors can disturb this process. Besides mechanical obstacles on the eruption path, a pathological position or axial orientation of the tooth germ, morphological aberrations of the tooth or pathological alterations of the periodontium, primary disorders of the eruption mechanism may lead to complete or partial retention of the tooth in the jaw bone. These morphological features bear upon the prognosis of orthodontic correction which is dependent upon the underlying cause. First and second molars are rarely affected by eruption disorders, with a prevalence of 0.01 to 0.08 per cent, however, marked consequences for function such as posterior open bite or elongation of the antagonists may result. Following an overview of pathogenetic factors of tooth eruption disorders, selected cases of impacted first and second permanent molars are presented with respect to their morphological causes.

Problems of supernumerary teeth, hyperdontia or dentes supernumerarii

Supernumerary teeth are extra teeth or toothlike structures which may have either erupted or unerupted in addition to the 20 deciduous teeth and the 32 permanent teeth. This article provides an overview of frequency, distribution and classification of supernumerary teeth. The etiology of supernumerary teeth is still unknown, yet various theories have been presented based on epidemiological studies. Four clinical cases representing the possible manifestations of supernumerary teeth are discussed.

The effect of hereditary disorders on tooth components: a radiographic morphometric study of two syndromes

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare tooth components (enamel and dentin) in Familial Dysautonomia (FD) and Down syndrome (DS) in order to assess the extent to which each was affected.

DESIGN

The design was cross-sectional. The sample consisted of 20 FD patients and 45 DS patients. The control group comprised 250 healthy subjects. Mesio-distal crown width (CW), enamel and dentin thickness and pulp chamber dimensions were measured on standardized bitewing radiographs of mandibular second primary and first permanent molars. Statistical analyses were performed between groups using SAS programs.

RESULTS

CW was reduced in both hereditary disorders. In the DS group enamel height (EH) and dentin thickness were reduced. In FD enamel thickness in the primary and permanent molars as well as dentin height (DH) in permanent molars was increased.

CONCLUSIONS

In both syndromes the reduction in CW suggests reduced proliferation during tooth germ formation. However, the differences in enamel and dentin thickness suggest that ameloblasts and odontoblasts were affected differently in the later phases of cell function. In FD cell function is stimulated resulting in thicker enamel and dentin. In DS cell function is reduced resulting in thin enamel and dentin.