Amelogenesis imperfecta: functional and esthetic restoration of a severely compromised dentition.
The treatment of patients with severe forms of amelogenesis imperfecta presents an interesting challenge to the dental team. A 16-year-old girl presented with a severely compromised occlusion and poor esthetics that had lowered her self-esteem. Preoperative investigations included the determination of completion of growth, an accurate diagnostic waxup, and an evaluation of clinical crown lengths. Periodontal full-flap surgery was planned to lengthen clinical crowns and create gingival harmony. This was to be followed by placement of 28 complete crowns to restore occlusal function and gain a pleasing esthetic result. All-porcelain crowns were placed from premolar to premolar in each arch (20 crowns), and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns were placed on each molar tooth in each arch (8 crowns). The final treatment result provided this patient with a mutually protective occlusion and with esthetics that greatly enhanced her self-image.