Heterogeneous mutations in dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) gene, which is located on autosome 4, are associated with hereditary dentin developmental disorders. According to the new classification proposed by de La Dure-Molla et al, diseases caused by DSPP gene mutations mainly manifested as abnormal dentin development are collectively referred to as dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI), including dentin dysplasia type Ⅱ (DD-Ⅱ), dentinogenesis imperfecta type Ⅱ (DGI-Ⅱ) and dentinogenesis imperfecta type Ⅲ (DGI-Ⅲ) in Shields classification. And dentin dysplasia type Ⅰ (DD-Ⅰ) in Shields classification is redesignated as radicular dentin dysplasia. In this paper, progress in the classification, clinical characteristics and genetic mechanisms of DI are reviewed. This paper also provides clinical management and treatment strategies for patients suffering DI.