Electron-optic analyses of hypomineralized amelogenesis imperfecta in man

Mineral distribution in the enamel of teeth with amelogenesis imperfecta as determined by quantitative microradiography

“…The increased protein content found in the two variants of AI was interpreted as evidence of the qualitatively as well as quantitatively defective enamel in AI, independently of predominant clinical manifestation. Microprobe elemental analysis of AI teeth with hypomineralization and hypoplasia of the enamel, respectively, showed no differences in the mean contents of Ca and P or the mean Ca/P ratios of AI teeth to control teeth (19,20). Although it was deduced that the AI enamel probably had a decreased mineral content per volume, the micropi-obe analysis did not allow such conclusions (20).…”

Biological Calcification

“…Scanning electron microscope studies on human hypocalcified amelogenesis imperfecta have shown that the enamel contains porosities (Wright et al 1993b) and disoriented prisms, with the hypocalcification of prism sheaths (Sauk et al 1972). Immunohistochemical studies on the enamel of patients suffering from hypocalcified amelogenesis imperfecta have detected considerable amounts of amelogenin peptides which, in one case examined by Western-blot transfer and immunobinding analysis, was found to consist of a 26-kDa molecule .…”