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Mineral metabolism is critical for proper development of hard tissues of the skeleton and dentition. The dentoalveolar complex includes the following 4 mineralized tissues: enamel, dentin, cementum, and alveolar bone. Developmental processes of these tissues are affected by inherited disorders that disrupt phosphate and pyrophosphate homeostasis, although manifestations are distinct from those in the skeleton.

Digital technology is rapidly changing the provision of oral health care, although its adoption for the oral health care of young patients has lagged. The authors describe digitally supported treatment approaches for managing treatment of developmental dental defects in the early permanent dentition.

The authors conducted a systematic review to assess the efficacy and safety of fluoride toothpaste use in children younger than 6 years.

A panel of experts convened by the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs presents evidence-based clinical recommendations regarding professionally applied and prescription-strength, home-use topical fluoride agents for caries prevention. These recommendations are an update of the 2006 ADA recommendations regarding professionally applied topical fluoride and were developed by using a new process that includes conducting a systematic review of primary studies.

A panel of experts convened by the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs presents evidence-based clinical recommendations regarding professionally applied and prescription-strength, home-use topical fluoride agents for caries prevention. These recommendations are an update of the 2006 ADA recommendations regarding professionally applied topical fluoride and were developed by using a new process that includes conducting a systematic review of primary studies.

The authors conducted a systematic review on this research question: “In populations where nondentists conduct diagnostic, treatment planning, and/or irreversible/surgical dental procedures, is there a change in disease increment, untreated dental disease, and/or cost-effectiveness of dental care?”

The authors conducted a systematic review on this research question: “In populations where nondentists conduct diagnostic, treatment planning, and/or irreversible/surgical dental procedures, is there a change in disease increment, untreated dental disease, and/or cost-effectiveness of dental care?”

Odontogenic tumors originate from the remains of migrating enamel epithelium after the completion of normal tooth genesis. These enamel epithelium remnants exhibit the ability to recapitulate the events that occur during tooth formation. Several lines of evidence suggest that aberrance in the signaling pathways similar to the ones that are used during tooth development, including the WNT pathway, might be the cause of odontogenic tumorigenesis and maintenance. In this study we demonstrated that WNT5A expression was intense in both the epithelial component of ameloblastomas, the most common epithelial odontogenic tumor, and in this tumor's likely precursor cell, the enamel epithelium located at the cervical loop of normal developing human tooth buds. Additionally, when WNT5A was overexpressed in enamel epithelium cells (LS-8), the clones expressing high levels of WNT5A (S) exhibited characteristics of tumorigenic cells, including growth factor independence, loss of anchorage dependence, loss of contact inhibition, and tumor formation in immunocompromised mice. Moreover, overexpression of WNT5A drastically increased LS-8 cell migration and actin reorganization when compared with controls. Suppression of endogenous WNT5A in LS-8 cells (AS) greatly impaired their migration and AS cells failed to form significant actin reorganization and membrane protrusion was rarely seen. Taken together, our data indicate that WNT5A signaling is important in modulating tumorigenic behaviors of enamel epithelium cells in ameloblastomas.

There are many ways to classify ectodermal dysplasia syndromes. Clinicians in practice use a list of syndromes from which to choose a potential diagnosis, paging through a volume, such as FreireMaia and Pinheiros corpus, matching their patients findings to listed syndromes. Medical researchers may want a list of syndromes that share one monothetic system or several polythetic system traits in order to focus research on a narrowly defined group. Special interest groups may want a list from which they can choose constituencies, and insurance companies and government agencies may want a list to determine for whom to provide or deny healthcare coverage. Furthermore, various molecular biologists are now promoting classification systems based on gene mutation e.g., TP63associated syndromes or common molecular pathways. The challenge will be to balance comprehensiveness within the classification with usability and accessibility so that the benefits truly serve the needs of researchers, healthcare providers, and ultimately the individuals and families directly affected by ectodermal dysplasias. It is also recognized that a new classification approach is an ongoing process and will require periodical reviews or updates. Whatever scheme is developed, however, will have farreaching application for other groups of disorders for which classification is complicated by the number of interested parties and advances in diagnostic acumen. Consensus among interested parties is necessary for optimizing communication among the diverse groups whether it be for equitable distribution of funds, correctness of diagnosis and treatment, or focusing research efforts. © 2009 WileyLiss, Inc.

Hereditary conditions are traditionally classified based either on physicalphysiological attributes or using the names of the individuals credited with identifying the condition. For the 170 plus conditions classified as ectodermal dysplasias EDs, both of these nosological systems are used, at times interchangeably. Over the past decade our knowledge of the human genome and the molecular basis of the EDs have greatly expanded providing the impetus to consider alternative classification systems. The incorporation of the molecular basis of hereditary conditions adds important information allowing effective transfer of objective genetic information that can be lacking from traditional classification systems. Molecular information can be added to the nosological system for the EDs through a hierarchical and domainbased approach that encompasses the conditions name, mode of inheritance, molecular pathway affected, and specific molecular change. As new molecular information becomes available it can be effectively incorporated using this classification approach. Integrating molecular information into the ED classification system, while retaining wellrecognized traditional syndrome names, facilitates communication at and between different groups of people including patients, families, health care providers, and researchers. © 2009 WileyLiss, Inc.

The distal‐less homeobox gene DLX3 is expressed in a variety of tissues including placenta, skin, hair, teeth, and bone. Mutation of DLX3 (c.571_574delGGGG) causes the tricho‐dento‐osseous syndrome (TDO), characterized by abnormal hair, teeth, and bone. Evaluation of a kindred segregating the DLX3 c.561_562delCT mutation revealed distinct changes in the hair, teeth, and bones as has been observed with the DLX3 c.571_574delGGGG mutation. Previously, the DLX3 c.561_562delCT mutation was associated with autosomal dominant amelogenesis imperfecta with taurodontism. The present study shows that the DLX3 c.560_561delCT mutation causes an attenuated TDO phenotype with less severe hair, tooth, and bone manifestations compared with individuals having the DLX3 c.571_574delGGGG mutation. Careful phenotyping of individuals with allelic DLX3 mutations reveals marked differences in phenotypic severity indicating that the carboxy‐terminus of the DLX3 protein is critical in determining its function during development in these different tissues. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

The amelogenesis imperfectas (AIs) are a clinically and genetically diverse group of conditions that are caused by mutations in a variety of genes that are critical for normal enamel formation. To date, mutations have been identified in four genes (AMELX, ENAM, KLK4, MMP20) known to be involved in enamel formation. Additional yet to be identified genes also are implicated in the etiology of AI based on linkage studies. The diverse and often unique phenotypes resulting from the different allelic and non‐allelic mutations in these genes provide an opportunity to better understand the role of these genes and their related proteins in enamel formation. Understanding the AI phenotypes also provides an aid to clinicians in directing molecular studies aimed at delineating the genetic basis underlying these diverse clinical conditions. Our current knowledge of the known mutations and associated phenotypes of the different AI subtypes are reviewed. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Formation of tooth enamel is a very complex process in which a specific set of proteins secreted by ameloblasts play a primordial role. As part of a screening procedure to identify novel proteins secreted by EO (enamel organ) cells of rat incisors, we isolated a partial cDNA fragment (EO-017) that is the homologue of the recently described mouse Amtn (amelotin) gene [Iwasaki, Bajenova, Somogyi-Ganss, Miller, Nguyen, Nourkeyhani, Gao, Wendel and Ganss (2005) J. Dent. Res. 84, 1127–1132]. Presented herein is the cloning of rat and pig full-length cDNAs with their deduced protein sequences. Detailed expression profiling by Northern-blot analysis and RT (reverse transcriptase)–PCR on rat and mouse tissues revealed highest expression in the mandible, more specifically in the maturation stage of the EO. Among all tissues tested, low expression was detected only in periodontal ligament, lung, thymus and gingiva. In silico analyses revealed that the Amtn gene is highly conserved in seven other mammals, but is absent from fish, birds and amphibians. The Amtn protein is enriched in proline, leucine, glutamine and threonine (52% of total) and contains a perfectly conserved protein kinase CK2 phosphorylation site. Transient transfection experiments in HEK-293 cells (human embryonic kidney cells) showed that secreted Amtn is post-translationally modified possibly through O-linked oligosaccharides on threonine residues. In concordance with its predominant expression site, immunofluorescence localization within the rat and mouse mandibles revealed Amtn localized to the basal lamina of maturation stage ameloblasts of incisors and unerupted molars. Intense Amtn protein expression was also detected in the internal basal lamina of junctional epithelium in molars. The peculiar and unique cellular localization of Amtn suggests a role in cell adhesion.

Dental treatment modalities for ectodermal dysplasia (ED) vary markedly depending on the clinical manifestations, but to date there have been no studies exploring the potential economic impact of ED. On the basis of anecdotal and clinical reports, the authors postulate that costs of dental treatment for this condition can have a substantial financial impact on patients and their families.

Dental treatment modalities for ectodermal dysplasia (ED) vary markedly depending on the clinical manifestations, but to date there have been no studies exploring the potential economic impact of ED. On the basis of anecdotal and clinical reports, the authors postulate that costs of dental treatment for this condition can have a substantial financial impact on patients and their families.

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a hereditary dental condition with poor esthetics and dental sensitivity that frequently requires extensive dental treatment. The authors hypothesized that AI is associated with a negative psychosocial outcome.

Ectodermal dysplasias (ED) are a heterogeneous group of inheritable disorders characterized by abnormal development of embryologic ectoderm derivatives. The purposes of this study were to: 1) create baseline cephalometric norms for male children with ED; 2) assess craniofacial growth and development in hypohidrotic ED male children with severe hypodontia, compared with non-ED children with class I dental relationships; 3) compare the craniofacial morphology of titanium dental implant-treated ED males with non-implant-treated ED males; and 4) correlate the severity of hypodontia to craniofacial dysmorphology. Cephalometric radiographs of class I individuals and implant-treated and nontreated ED groups were used to evaluate craniofacial morphology. Traditional cephalometric landmarks and measurements were used to compare groups using the generalized estimate equation analysis. Age, gender, and the number of permanent maxillary teeth present had a significant (P = .01) explanatory relationship with the craniofacial measures when comparing untreated ED children to norms. Mean craniofacial differences between ED and non-ED children still existed when the explanatory effects of these variables were controlled, indicating dysmorphology in several craniofacial structures (e.g., cranial base, mandibular length). The number of missing maxillary permanent teeth was significantly related with craniofacial dysmorphology in the ED population. Craniofacial morphology did not differ significantly between implant-treated and nontreated ED children, suggesting that treatment with intraosseous dental implants, as applied in this population, did not rescue normal craniofacial growth and development. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The present study was conducted to assess differences in the behavioral and demographic characteristics of snuff (dip) users as compared to users of chewing tobacco. High School football players (1116) were surveyed concerning their use and perceptions of smokeless tobacco. Adolescent athletes who tried smokeless tobacco were more likely to be white, to use cigarettes, alcohol, and cigars and to have family users than those who never tried. Initial use was highest before the age of fourteen years and was influenced by friends, curiosity and family. Dippers tended to initiate use because of friends, while chewers started because of family users. Users of both dip and chew started primarily because of curiosity. Users of both were more likely to consume greater amounts to alcohol and cigarettes and to smoke cigars and pipes. It appears that the longer smokeless tobacco is consumed, the more likely both dip and chew will be used. Users of smokeless tobacco for more than two years tended to consume more of the product each week, used it for more hours/day, initiated use at an earlier age, and used it more often at school and work than those using it for less than two years. Use of cigars/pipes, consumption of alcohol, and quantity of cigarette consumption increased significantly with longer duration of smokeless tobacco use. Intervention and prevention programs would be helped by understanding differences between users of various smokeless tobacco products and differences related to the duration of use. In addition, further analyses of smokeless tobacco users should study chewers, dippers, and users of both separately.

This study determinedthe prevalence of destructive periodontal disease affecting the deciduous dentition among otherwise healthy subjects, who were diagnosed with juvenile Periodontitis (JP) in their permanent dentitions. There were 4,757 subjects in this retrospective, cross‐sectional study. Diagnosis of JP was based on age (≤ 15 years), negative medical history, and radiographic evidence of arc‐shaped alveolar bone loss. The study population was one‐third white and two‐thirds black and the male/female ratio was 1:1, reflecting the general patient population. The prevalence among whites was 0.3%, with a female/male ratio 4:1; whereas among blacks the prevalence was 1.5%, with a female/ male ratio ˜1:1. Among the black JP subjects with radiographs of the mixed dentition, 85.7% presented evidence of bone loss, and of those with radiographs of the deciduous dentition, 71.4% had discernible alveolar bone loss. This study suggests that JP is much more prevalent in blacks and that it does indeed occur in the prepubertal years affecting the deciduous as well as the permanent dentitions in otherwise healthy children. These data imply the importance of including a periodontal evaluation in the examination of children, using the periodontal probe and radiographs sufficient to adequately view the alveolar bone. J Periodontol 1992; 63:761–765.

Approximately 1,000 adolescent male subjects were questioned and examined to determine if and how often they used smokeless tobacco. In addition, the abnormal oral mucosal conditions found in the study are reported.

A total of 754 junior high school and high school football players from the Birmingham, AL, area were studied to determine the extent of sports-related oral trauma among players. More than half the oral injuries and more than a third of the concussions were reported in sports other than football. Basketball and baseball players had a high prevalence of hard tissue oral trauma with virtually none of the players wearing mouth protectors. The results of this study indicate that current mouth protector designs are helpful in preventing hard tissue trauma, yet additional soft tissue protection is indicated in football mouth protector design.

The Encouraging Novel Amelogenesis Models and Ex vivo cell Lines (ENAMEL) Development workshop was held on 23 June 2017 at the Bethesda headquarters of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). Discussion topics included model organisms, stem cells/cell lines, and tissues/3D cell culture/organoids. Scientists from a number of disciplines, representing institutions from across the United States, gathered to discuss advances in our understanding of enamel, as well as future directions for the field.

The author discusses the effectiveness and safety of sealants in preventing tooth decay which remains the most common chronic dental disease among children ages six to 11. He mentions the clinical practice guideline "Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guideline for the Use of Pit-and-fissure Sealants," released by the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry to update pediatric dentistry on best practices for sealant use.