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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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Figure 1.2-1 – Pathology <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> Developmental Defects <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> Enamel (DDE) from Cutress 11<br />

DDE are generally classified into three distinct categories, namely diffuse<br />

opacities, demarcated opacities, and hypoplastic defects. 12,13<br />

Naturally, these diffuse<br />

opacities, demarcated opacities and enamel hypoplasia are key elements <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> indices used<br />

to record enamel defects for epidemiological investigati<strong>on</strong>s. 12<br />

The average dental<br />

practiti<strong>on</strong>er may not have a full understanding <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the nuances <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> these classificati<strong>on</strong>s<br />

systems as reviewing the existing indices for DDE is not part <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the undergraduate dental<br />

curriculum. While enamel hypoplasia is likely the most recognized defect <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> enamel in<br />

both the primary and permanent dentiti<strong>on</strong>s it should not overshadow the significance <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />

opacities. All three development defects <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> enamel signify some sort <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> influence <strong>on</strong> the<br />

developing ameloblast or matrix at the time <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> enamel development. Thus, hypoplastic<br />

enamel and enamel opacities can shed light <strong>on</strong> their possible etiologies as they<br />

1.2-2

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