PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Vol. 29 No. 6       NOV - DEC 2007

ISSN: 0164-1263      UBIC: ESP

ABSTRACTS

Purpose: Young patients with hypomineralized teeth frequently complain of symptoms suggestive of dentin hypersensitivity. It has been proposed that these symptoms may be exacerbated by an underlying pulpal inflammation. The purpose of the study was to determine the pulpal status of hypomineralized teeth. Methods: The experimental material comprised 25 sound and 19 hypomineralized permanent first molars obtained from children requiring dental extractions under general anesthesia. Pulp sections were processed for indirect immunofluorescence using combinations of: (1) protein gene pro duct 95; (2) leukocyte common antigen; and (3) Ulex europaeus I Iectin. Image analysis was then used to determine the percentage area of staining of each label. Results: Innervation density was significantly greater in the pulp horn and subodontoblastic region of hypomineralized teeth than in sound teeth. Immune cells were most abundant within pulps of hypomineralized teeth exhibiting enamel loss. Vascularity was found to be similar for both hypomineralized and sound teeth, but was sign greater in hypersensitive hypomineralized samples. Conclusion: This study provides biological evidence that inflammatory changes may be present within the pulpal tissue of these teeth. (Pediatr Dent 2007;29:514-20,) Received September 21, 2006 / Revision Accepted February 23, 2007 KEYWORDS: PULPAL INNERVATION, INFLAMMATION, MOLAR HYPOMINERALIZATION.

| Volver |