A ROENTGEN-RAY ABSORPTION STUDY OF HEREDITARY OPALESCENT DENTIN

¹ Division of Dental Research and the Department of Radiology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester

1. The average experimental roentgen ray absorption value for hereditary opalescent dentin (odontogenesis imperfecta) from 15 teeth is approximately 0.74 mm. Al equivalent per mm. thickness.

2. This value compares with a calculated unit I.V. (interpolated value) based on analyses of normal and opalescent dentin and on the assumption that normal dentin absorbs x-radiation in an amount equivalent to 0.94 mm. Al per mm. thickness.

3. Coronal opalescent dentin consistently absorbs more roentgen radiation than root dentin, and in this respect is similar to normal dentin.

4. It would appear that attrition has an effect on x-ray absorption by opalescent dentin, generally causing it to be increased.

5. No significant differences are found in the average unit interpolated values for anterior and posterior opalescent teeth, nor for maxillary and mandibular ones.

6. The enamel of hereditary opalescent teeth is probably normal. The author wishes to thank Drs. H.C. Hodge and J.F. Volker for their consideration and assistance in this study and in preparation of the report. A grant of the Carnegie Corporation of New York made this work possible.