Tooth formation and eruption - lessons learnt from cleidocranial dysplasia

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Developmental Biology
• Dentistry

Background:

• Tooth formation, renewal, and eruption are complex processes.
• Genetic aberrations can significantly impact dental development.
• Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a genetic disorder affecting tooth development due to RUNX2 gene mutations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the principles of tooth formation, renewal, and eruption.
• To highlight the role of RUNX2 in dental development and eruption.
• To evaluate the long-term validity of a proposed early treatment strategy for CCD patients.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical studies, animal models, and molecular biology research on RUNX2 and CCD.
• Analysis of a proposed treatment strategy for CCD involving early dental interventions.
• Comparison of the proposed strategy with other treatment protocols.

Main Results:

• RUNX2 is crucial for osteoblast differentiation, dental lamina regression, and osteoclastogenesis.
• CCD dental phenotype includes supernumerary teeth and delayed/arrested permanent tooth eruption.
• The proposed early treatment strategy (extraction, surgical exposure) appears valid and reduces patient care burden.

Conclusions:

• RUNX2 mutations are central to the dental anomalies observed in Cleidocranial Dysplasia.
• An early, proactive treatment approach for CCD patients is effective in managing dental complications.
• The Jensen & Kreiborg treatment strategy remains a viable and beneficial option for CCD management.