Dentinogenesis Imperfecta — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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HardOral PathologyDentinogenesis ImperfectaMFDS Part 1

A teenager has generalised blue-grey opalescence affecting teeth in both dentitions, with enamel fracturing soon after eruption. Radiographs show rapid post-eruptive obliteration of the pulp chambers. Ground sections demonstrate sparse, disorganised dentinal tubules with extensive atubular areas. Which condition best accounts for this combination of findings?

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Correct answer: D — Dentinogenesis imperfecta

The correct answer is **dentinogenesis imperfecta**. Generalised blue-grey or opalescent teeth, early enamel fracture, rapid pulp chamber obliteration and sparse or atubular abnormal dentine identify an inherited dentine matrix disorder. Regional odontodysplasia is localised to contiguous teeth, affects enamel and dentine, and typically produces thin, poorly mineralised “ghost teeth” with enlarged rather than rapidly obliterated pulps; it can also contain interglobular dentine, making the original histology-only stem non-specific. Dentinal dysplasia type I usually presents with clinically normal crowns, short or blunted roots and pulp obliteration. Amelogenesis imperfecta and fluorosis predominantly affect enamel and do not explain the abnormal dentinal architecture with pulp obliteration.

Reference: Riou MC et al. Physiology of dentinogenesis and pathophysiology of dentinogenesis imperfecta: how does it affect dentin structure and biomechanics? Acta Biomaterialia. 2025;207:131-141. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41017073/