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Influence of Maternal Prenatal Vitamin D Status on Infant Oral Health

Influence of Maternal Prenatal Vitamin D Status on Infant Oral Health

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Secti<strong>on</strong> 2 – Risk Factors for Enamel Hypoplasia in Young Children<br />

The previous secti<strong>on</strong> identified enamel hypoplasia as a key risk factor in the development<br />

<str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> dental caries, including Early Childhood Caries (ECC). The intent <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> this chapter is to<br />

review our understanding <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> factors c<strong>on</strong>tributing to these enamel defects in children.<br />

Dental enamel is a unique hard tissue <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> ectoderm rather than c<strong>on</strong>nective tissue<br />

origin. 1 Ameloblasts, the cells that form enamel first secrete an enamel matrix, which is<br />

both inorganic and organic in compositi<strong>on</strong>. 1 Secreti<strong>on</strong> and limited mineralizati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />

matrix c<strong>on</strong>tinues until the enamel has reached its intended thickness. Following this<br />

process, the matrix undergoes a maturati<strong>on</strong> process that results in the loss <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> protein and<br />

water from the matrix and the additi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> minerals leading to mature enamel. 1<br />

The primary dentiti<strong>on</strong> begins to form at week 6 in utero and amelogenisis, the<br />

process <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> enamel formati<strong>on</strong> generally commences during the 18 th week. 1 The formati<strong>on</strong><br />

<str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> hard tissues <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the primary maxillary and mandibular incisors begins between 4 and<br />

4.5 m<strong>on</strong>ths in utero. 2 While the bulk <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> enamel depositi<strong>on</strong> occurs during prenatal life the<br />

remainder is formed during infancy. 3<br />

Disturbances to the developing enamel matrix<br />

(ameloblasts) are irreversible and serve as a permanent record <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the insult to enamel<br />

formati<strong>on</strong> in the primary and permanent dentiti<strong>on</strong>s. Thus, it is possible to estimate when<br />

the disturbance to developing enamel might have occurred (Figure 1.2-1).<br />

Developmental defects <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> enamel (DDE) serve as records <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> such disturbances to<br />

the amelogenesis process. DDE have been implicated as risk factors for ECC. 4,5<br />

Specifically, these sites are preferentially col<strong>on</strong>ized by cariogenic microorganisms<br />

including, Mutans streptococci. 6-10 1.2-1

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