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Chemical aspects on dental hard tissues in primary teeth from preterm infants

Marianne Rythén1, Nina Sabel, Wolfram Dietz

  • 1Department of Pedodontics, Institute of Odontology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden. marianne.rythen@vgregion.se

European Journal of Oral Sciences
|July 29, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Preterm children

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Dental Mineralization
  • Neonatal Complications

Background:

  • Preterm birth and very low birth weight can lead to neonatal complications affecting tooth development.
  • Previous studies indicate enamel aberrations in teeth of preterm children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the chemical composition of enamel and dentin in primary teeth from preterm and full-term children.
  • To investigate the relationship between chemical composition and morphological appearance.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray microanalyses (XRMA) were used to examine enamel and dentin in 17 primary teeth from preterm children (gestational age < 29 wk) and 36 from full-term children.
  • Chemical composition (relative values of Carbon, Calcium, Phosphorus) and ratios (Ca/P, Ca/C) were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Preterm teeth showed higher carbon, lower calcium, lower Ca/P, and lower Ca/C ratios in the outer enamel compared to controls.
  • Dentin in preterm teeth exhibited higher phosphorus and lower Ca/P ratios near the pulp.
  • The Ca/P ratio suggested normal hydroxyapatite crystals in both groups.
  • Lower Ca/C ratios in preterm enamel indicated increased porosity.

Conclusions:

  • Preterm children's primary teeth exhibit altered enamel and dentin chemical composition.
  • Increased enamel porosity in preterm children may be linked to neonatal complications.
  • Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of these findings.

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