Abstract
Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a hereditary developmental disorder affecting the enamel of teeth. Affected patients present with tooth hypersensitivity, rapid tooth wear, or fractures of enamel as well as alterations in color and shape, all of which compromise esthetic appearance and masticatory function. Chronic conditions in childhood severely impact the whole family, affecting normal family routines and/or increasing the family’s financial burden. The aim of this study was to explore experiences and the impact on daily life of being a parent to a child with severe forms of amelogenesis imperfecta. Parents of children and adolescents with AI participated in an interview with a psychologist. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. The parents talked about several concerns about having a child with AI. Four main themes emerged from the interviews: Feelings associated with passing on a hereditary disorder, knowledge decreases stress, unfamiliarity with the diagnosis, and psychosocial stress. In these main categories we identified several subthemes. Feelings associated with passing on a hereditary disorder included the subtheme of guilt/shame; knowledge decreases stress included knowledge about diagnosis in the family and support from dental health care professionals; Unfamiliarity with diagnosis included missed diagnosis, fear of not getting correct treatment, and insufficient pain control; finally, the subtheme Psychosocial stress included fear of child being bullied and emergency dental visits. The findings show that parents of children with severe amelogenesis imperfecta report similar experiences as do parents of children with other chronic and rare diseases.
Highlights
IntroductionAmelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a hereditary developmental disorder affecting the enamel of teeth
Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a hereditary developmental disorder affecting the enamel of teeth.The mode of inheritance is either autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, or X-linked
Five parents had been diagnosed with AI since childhood, one was diagnosed as a result of their child being diagnosed, and two parents did not have AI (Table 1)
Summary
Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a hereditary developmental disorder affecting the enamel of teeth. The mode of inheritance is either autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, or X-linked. Mutations in at least six genes have been shown to cause nonsyndromic AI [1]. 1 in 700 to 1 in 14,000 depending on the population studied [2]. The severity of enamel disturbances in AI varies; the most affected patients present with tooth hypersensitivity, rapid tooth wear, or fractures of enamel as well as alterations in color and shape, all of which compromise esthetic appearance and masticatory function. Current guidelines for restorative treatment in young children and adolescents suggest covering the surface with direct composite resin or composite resin veneers until adulthood and recommend stainless steel crowns for first permanent molars [3]. Pousette-Lundgren et al [4] have shown that
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