Clinical Management of an Epigenetic Enamel Hypoplasia- A Case Report Prasad K. Musale, 1 Tushar Yadav, 2 Bijle Mohammed Nadeem Ahmed 3 Introduction Enamel hypoplasia is quantitative enamel defect, having reduced thickness of enamel. 1,2 Enamel formation is a complex and highly regulated process. Permanent human anterior teeth begin calcification at 3-12 months and complete enamel formation by 4-7 years of age .The presence of enamel defects is highly dependent on conditions occurring during critical time of enamel formation and mineralization. Dental enamel defects have been associated with a broad spectrum of etiologies including genetic and epigenetic factors such as systemic, local and environmental factors. Systemic conditions such as perinatal or prenatal illnesses, low birth weight, regular antibiotic consumptions, malnutrition, celiac disease and respiratory disorders like asthma are associated with enamel defects. 3-7 A rare case of enamel hypoplasia of epigenetic origin with partial anodontia (maxillary right and mandibular left lateral incisors) and clinical management for the same is presented in this case report. Case Report A ten year old boy reported to the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry with a chief complaint of discolored and stained anterior teeth. Patient’s past medical history revealed that he was asthmatic when he was two years old for which he was under medication till the age of four years. He was given asthalin 0.1mg/kg of body weight was given three times a day. Currently he is not under any treatment for bronchial asthma. Intra oral examination disclosed all the erupted permanent teeth were hypoplastic (pitted type) involving incisal and occlusal third and multiple carious deciduous teeth (Fig. a, b, c). IJCDS • NOVEMBER, 2010 • 1(1) © 2010 Int. Journal of Clinical Dental Science ABOUT THE AUTHORS 1. Prasad K. Musale Professor, Dept. Of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, Pune. 2. Tushar K. Yadav PG Student, Dept. Of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, Pune. 3. Bijle Mohammed Nadeem Ahmed PG Student, Dept. Of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, Pune. Corresponding Author: Bijle Mohammed Nadeem Ahmed PG Student, Dept. Of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, M.A. Rangoonwala College of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, Pune. email: nbijle@yahoo.co.in Abstract Enamel hypoplasia is quantitative enamel defect, having reduced thickness of enamel. Dental enamel defects have been associated with a broad spectrum of etiologies including genetic and epigenetic factors such as systemic (bronchial asthma), local and environmental factors. Partial anodontia can be caused due to environmental and genetic factors which can cause failure of tooth development. The purpose of the case report is to emphasize the possible correlation between bronchial asthma and enamel hypoplasia and the clinical management of the same. KEYWORDS: Epigenetic; Enamel hypoplasia; Enamel Defects; Bronchial asthma; Partial Anodontia. CASE REPORT 77