Hereditary opalescent dentin: a report of two cases

The aim of this case report is to present the clinical and radiographic findings of hereditary opalescent dentin to facilitate an early diagnosis.

Hereditary opalescent dentin (or dentinogenesis imperfecta) may manifest itself in three variations: i.e., Shields type I, Shields type II, and Shields type III. Dentinogenesis imperfecta occurs as an autosomal dominant trait with variable expressivity, either in presence with osteogenesis imperfecta or as a separate clinical entity in persons who have none of the features of osteogenesis imperfecta.

A seven-year old boy and his mother were both diagnosed with hereditary opalescent dentin. A review of the family dental history revealed that this condition affected not only the child's mother but his maternal grandfather and great grandfather. Both the son and the mother exhibited the same clinical and radiologic features as those reported previously with no evidence of osteogenesis imperfecta.

Being an autosomal disease, hereditary opalescent dentin runs in the family and can affect both the deciduous and permanent dentitions as a dominant trait.

Once a patient is diagnosed with hereditary opalescent dentin, other family members should be evaluated given the condition is hereditary.