Nonsyphilitic Dental Dysplasia

These notched upper central incisors were noted in a 3-year-old girl. There was no history of traumatic injury to her mouth. The youngster was able to sweat normally, and no other evidence of ectodermal dysplasia was present.

Drs Alexander K. C. Leung and Matthew C. K. Choi of Calgary, Alberta, tell us that the notches on this child's teeth are caused by nonsyphilitic dental dysplasia of the deciduous teeth, a condition that is inherited as an X-linked recessive trait.

Nonsyphilitic dental dysplasia is not to be confused with Hutchinson's teeth, an abnormality that can occur in congenital syphilis, which produces peglike or screwdriver-shaped teeth. Unlike the dentition in this child, Hutchinson's teeth affects the permanent incisors and does not appear until the age of 6 years.

This youngster required no treatment. Her permanent teeth will develop normally.