SEM/EDS Analysis of the Enamel in Mesiodens / 대한소아치과학회지

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the microstructural properties and mineralization quality of mesiodens with permanent and primary central incisors.Fifteen mesiodens, permanent and primary central incisors were collected. The enamel rod diameter and enamel thickness were observed and measured using field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). Chemical composition of the enamel was analyzed using energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). The measurements were then assessed using the one-way ANOVA and Tukey test.There was no statistically significant difference in the enamel rod diameter between mesiodens and permanent central incisors. However, enamel rods of primary central incisors were smaller than remaining two groups. The thickness of enamel was thick in order of permanent central incisors, mesiodens, primary central incisors. In the composition analysis using EDS, there was no difference in the Ca/P ratio and Ca/C ratio between mesiodens and permanent central incisors, but small in primary central incisors.In conclusion, the microstructural properties of mesiodens were more similar to those of permanent central incisors compared to primary central incisors. Futher, the mineralization quality of mesiodens did not differ significantly from that of permanent central incisors.

Early Eruption of Maxillary Permanent Canines : Report of 2 Cases / 대한소아치과학회지

Congenital absence of the primary canines is very rare. Congenital absence of primary teeth often causes their successors to not develop at all or affects the eruption of their successors. The purpose of this paper was to report the cases of 2 children with early eruption of the maxillary permanent canines at ages 4 and 6 years, respectively, following congenital absence of their maxillary primary canines, which are not common in earlier studies. Although tooth eruption and shedding exhibit some physiological variation, certain clinical cases are extreme. Premature eruption of the maxillary permanent canines may cause complications in terms of the space available for the eruption of adjacent teeth. Additionally, early eruption of permanent teeth increases the need for more careful oral hygiene. Therefore, the pediatric dentist must be alert to such rare cases.