Turner Tooth Aetiology — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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EasyPaediatric DentistryTurner Tooth AetiologyORE Part 1

A 10-year-old child has an upper left permanent central incisor that is smaller than the contralateral incisor. It has labial enamel hypoplasia and a dilacerated root on radiographic examination. What is the most likely aetiology?

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Correct answer: C — Trauma to the primary predecessor

This is a Turner tooth: a localised developmental defect of a permanent tooth caused by trauma to, or infection associated with, its primary predecessor. The unilateral maxillary incisor involvement, enamel hypoplasia and root dilaceration particularly support previous trauma causing damage to the developing permanent tooth germ. Amelogenesis imperfecta is inherited and usually affects many teeth in both dentitions. Fluorosis is generally a diffuse, symmetrical enamel disturbance affecting teeth developing at the same time. Congenital syphilis may produce Hutchinson incisors, but does not explain this focal hypoplasia with root dilaceration. Vitamin D deficiency may be associated with broader enamel defects, not this isolated traumatic pattern.

Reference: Caeiro-Villasenín L, et al. Developmental Dental Defects in Permanent Teeth Resulting from Trauma in Primary Dentition: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19820735/