How Dentures Can Help With Your Amelogenesis Imperfecta

While this condition can be passed from parents to children, it can occur in people with no family history of the disease. If there are mutations in the AMELX, MMP20, and AMELX genes, then your body may not make enough protein to properly build both baby teeth and permanent teeth.

Because enamel is soft and thin, people with this condition are more prone to cavities. Other symptoms include:

If you have these symptoms, but your teeth have blue-gray discolorations, you may have similar condition called dentinogenesis imperfecta. In both cases, enamel is weak because of gene mutations.

To diagnose this condition, your dentist will check the condition of your enamel and take x-rays. He or she will want to get a family history to see if other members have this condition. While your dentist will also want to rule out other conditions that may causing your issues. While Amelogenesis imperfecta is a type of enamel hypoplasia that can occur by itself, other issues can also cause it, such as: 

While milder cases of amelogenesis can be treated with preventative cleanings and cosmetic restorations, you may also want to consider dentures.

Because amelogenesis imperfecta causes thin enamel, it's easier for plaque to build up. When plaque hardens, it turns into tartar. Tartar can only be removed by a dental hygienist or dentist, so you may require more frequent dental visits to stay on top of this issue. If tartar builds up, it not only increases the risk of cavities, it can cause bad breath, gum inflammation, and gum recession. In worst-case scenarios, the tartar build-up can cause gum disease.

While no one wants to lose their teeth, extracting teeth to have dentures placed can be a blessing for people with amelogenesis imperfecta. You won't have to continually worry about protecting thin enamel from tartar buildup. Once your dentist extracts your teeth, your dentist can fit you for a denture so that you can still maintain your appearance and oral functions (e.g., eating, talking, etc.).

Dentures are a great choice for people with amelogenesis imperfecta since the false teeth look aesthetically pleasing and can replace teeth that had pits or discolorations. Dentures are a great choice because they are more affordable than implants. A single implant can cost between $1,000 and $3,000, so that may not be a practical route if you want to replace most of your teeth. Generally, dentures don't cost as much as implants, and, a portion of the cost may be covered by insurance.

You could opt for immediate dentures, where dentures are placed immediately after the extraction procedure. If some of your teeth are still in okay condition, then you could opt for a partial denture so that you don't have to have all of your teeth extracted at once.

Contact Dr. Gregory B. Halls for more information about dentures and how they can help people with genetic tooth conditions.