Multiscale characterization of dental enamel affected by hypoplastic subtype of Amelogenesis Imperfecta

Amelogenesis Imperfecta(AI) is a group of heterogeneous genetic disorders, which affects the genes responsible for enamel formation, which, in turn affect the development and quality of dental enamel. Subclassifications of AI include hypoplastic, hypomature or hypocalcified depending on the protein affected. The hypoplastic AI is the most frequent type of AI caused by mutations of proteins (e.g.AMELX) or are due to mutations in larger master genes (e.g.FAM20A). Having identified areas with disrupted enamel on labial and lingual regions of enamel by laboratory X-ray microtomography we intend to conduct 2D µ-XRD mapping of 5 hypoplastic AI and 4 control teeth. Following acquisition of data on the XMaS, we will perform SEM imaging on each specimen, allowing correlation data obtained from SXRD and XMT. We will be able to compare and contrast the crystallite disruption and pathogenicity observed previously with hypomature AI. Thereby establishing a multiscale genotype-phenotype correlation.