Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) regulate hard tissue formation, including bone and tooth. Growth differentiation factor 5 (GDF5), a known BMP, is expressed in cartilage and regulates chondrogenesis, and mutations have been shown to cause osteoarthritis. Notably, GDF5 is also expressed in periodontal ligament tissue; however, its role during tooth development is unclear. Here, we used cell cu...

The amelogenins are secreted by the ameloblast cells of developing teeth; they constitute about 90% of the enamel matrix proteins and play an important role in enamel biomineralization. Recent evidence suggests that amelogenin may also be involved in the regeneration of the periodontal tissues and that different isoforms may have cell-signalling effects. During enamel development and mineraliza...

Aim: This prospective multicentre randomized controlled clinical trial was designed to compare the clinical outcomes of papilla preservation flap surgery with or without the application of enamel matrix proteins (EMD). Material and methods: 172 patients with advanced chronic periodontitis were recruited in 12 centers in 7 countries. All patients had at least one intrabony defect of >3mm. Heavy ...

During enamel development, matrix metalloproteinase-20 (MMP-20, enamelysin) is expressed early during the secretory stage as the enamel thickens, and kallikrein-4 (KLK-4, EMSP1) is expressed later during the maturation stage as the enamel hardens. Thus, we investigated whether the physical properties of the secretory-/maturation-stage MMP-20 null enamel were significantly different from those o...

OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to compare the relative amounts and nature of the proteinous content of sound and molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) enamel. METHODS TCA (20%) was used to dissolve the mineral phase and precipitate the proteins from enamel pieces sectioned from sound and MIH enamel. The protein content was estimated using a miniaturized version of the method of Lowry et...

This study was undertaken on human and Rhesus monkey enamel using three methods of analysis to gain information concerning the pattern of enamel calcification: (1) microhardness pattern of enamel mineralization; (2) microradiography; and (3) plastic substitution studies. Halves of teeth were selected and tested on a Tukon Microhardness Tester with a Knoop Diamond Indentor. The other half of eac...

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is the name given to a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by inherited developmental enamel defects. AI enamel is abnormally thin, soft, fragile, pitted and/or badly discolored, with poor function and aesthetics, causing patients problems such as early tooth loss, severe embarrassment, eating difficulties, and pain. It was first described separately fro...

Studies on tooth crown size and structure in families and in individuals with various sex chromosome anomalies have demonstrated differential direct effects of the human X and Y chromosome genes on growth. The Y chromosome promotes both tooth crown enamel and dentin growth, whereas the effect of the X chromosome on crown growth seems to be restricted to enamel formation. Enamel growth is decisi...