Abstract
Dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by abnormal development of tooth dentin, leading to discolored, malformed, and weakened teeth. Worldwide prevalence of DI varies, with estimates ranging from 1 in 6,000 to 1 in 8,000 individuals. Traditional dental treatments often provide limited improvement, as the weakened teeth are prone to decay and breakage. Common cosmetic procedures may not be viable due to the risk of further damage. This paper explores a case of DI in a 1.5-year-old child, whose teeth decayed rapidly and were irregularly shaped and discolored. Despite seeking various dental treatments, including preventive and restorative care, his condition did not significantly improve. However, after consulting Dr. Batra’s Positive Health clinic, and undergoing homeopathic treatment, the patient experienced remarkable progress as after 4 months his teeth showed increased strength and resilience, with no signs of wearing out or breaking with 22 strong and shining teeth, free from decay and discoloration. The treatment not only improved dental health but also boosted his confidence and quality of life, as he can now face the world with a bright smile and without the embarrassment of bad breath.
Keywords:
Dentinogenesis imperfecta, DI, genetic, homeopathy
Introduction
Dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI) is a hereditary dental disorder characterized by the abnormal development of tooth dentin, resulting in discolored, weakened, and irregularly shaped teeth. It is caused by genetic mutations affecting the proteins responsible for dentin formation. The hallmark signs of DI include opalescent or blue-gray discoloration of the teeth, thin enamel, and susceptibility to fracture and wear. Complications of DI may include dental decay, loss of teeth, speech difficulties, and psychosocial impacts due to impaired aesthetics. Traditional dental treatments focus on preventive and restorative care, but they may offer limited success in managing DI.
Homeopathy offers a holistic approach to treating DI, addressing not only the physical symptoms but also the underlying genetic predispositions and psychological aspects of the condition. Homeopathic remedies aim to stimulate the body’s self-healing mechanisms and promote overall well-being. Homeopathy may also help improve the overall dental health of individuals with DI, reducing the risk of complications and enhancing quality of life.
While homeopathic treatment for DI may not reverse the genetic mutations underlying the condition, it can significantly alleviate symptoms, strengthen teeth, and improve oral health. By addressing the individual’s constitutional and symptomatic profile, homeopathy offers a personalized and gentle approach to managing DI, complementing conventional dental care strategies.
Case Profile
A 1.5-year-old patient presented to Dr. Batra’s Ultadanga clinic with concerns regarding his dental health. His mother noticed delays in his dentition when he was around 9 months old, and by the age of 1.5 years, she observed that his teeth decayed rapidly after emerging. The teeth exhibited irregular shapes, often bifurcating, wearing, and breaking within days of formation. As the child grew, he began experiencing gum tenderness without bleeding, accompanied by bad breath, potentially indicating periapical abscess formation. This condition caused physical discomfort and psychological distress, leading to difficulties in eating, speaking, and recurrent colds and coughs, resulting in low weight and immunity. Despite consulting numerous dentists, the exact diagnosis remained elusive until the child was evaluated at Dr. R Ahmed Dental College in Kolkata. However, conventional preventive and restorative care failed to yield significant improvements due to the weakened state of his teeth. Standard cosmetic procedures like braces and bridges were deemed impractical and potentially harmful. As a last resort, the child’s mother sought homeopathic treatment at Dr. Batra’s Positive Health clinic in Ultadanga, where the child and his mother received care under Dr. Sourangshu Banerjee. This case underscores the challenges of managing Dentinogenesis Imperfecta and highlights the potential of homeopathy as an alternative approach to improving dental health and overall well-being.
Physical Generals
| Diet | Non veg |
| Appetite | Moderate , can tolerate hunger |
| Desire | Egg fried , chicken , salty |
| Aversion | Milk |
| Thermal Reaction | Hot |
| Thirst | Moderate , luke warm |
| Stools | Skips , take time , every alternate day |
| Urine | Offensive , yellow |
| Perspiration | Head sweat more , slight offensive |
| Sleep | Regular , deep |
| Dreams | NS |
Mental Generals –
A 1.5-year-old boy lives with his mom and dad. He likes being with them a lot. But when it gets dark, he gets scared. Sometimes he cries when he’s asleep because he’s afraid. He doesn’t like being alone. His parents work, so they’re not always with him. At night, he sometimes grinds his teeth.
Past History
Recurrent attacks of cough and cold
Vaccination regular
Dentition- delayed
Birth weight- 2.1 kg
Family History
Mat- Br Asthma, Osteoarthritis
Pat- T.B, Recurrent attack of cold
Case analysis
Repertorial totality
- Easy tendency of catching cold
- Stool- constipated, offensive
- Sweat- upper part of body, offensive
- Des- egg fried
- Des – salty food
- Aver- milk
- Talking – delayed
| Repertory used | Rubrics selected |
Kent Repertory | Cold tendency to takeMind- Talk slow learning to Desire- egg fried , boiled Stomach desire salty thing Generalities food milk Agg |
Repertory screenshot
After Repertorization
NATRUM MUR was getting the highest grade followed by CALCAREA CARB
but since Tubercular miasm was prominent and the patient was hot and not gaining weight easily –
CALCAREA PHOS was considered
Selection of Remedy
| Remedy | Reasons |
| Constitutional Remedy name – Cal Phos Remedy potency- 200Remedy dose- 2 dozes | Remedy reasonsDentition delayed Stool- Hard , irregular , offensive Sweat- more in upper part of body, offensiveDes- egg fried , saltyAver- milk |
Miasmatic approach
| Symptoms | Psora | Sycosis | Syphilis | Tubercular |
| Easy tendency of catching cold | YES | |||
| Does not put weight easily | YES | |||
| Family history- T.B | YES | |||
| Miasmatic predominance | Tubercular |
Materials and Methods
Kent repertory was used for repertorization via Hompath Classic
Results
| Month | Symptoms | Prescription |
| 1st | Improved stool; No cold attacks | Cal Phos 200 (2 doses) |
| 2nd | Daily improvement in stool; Better appetite | Rubrum |
| 3rd | Better sleep; Reduced gum swelling; Improved teeth coloration | Rubrum |
| 4th | Further improvement in teeth coloration; Enhanced tooth margins | Rubrum |
| 5th | Continued teeth color improvement; Better margins and irregularities | Rubrum |
| 6th | Further teeth enhancement; Improved margins | Rubrum |
| 7th | Normal teeth condition | Rubrum |
Discussion & Conclusion
Dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by abnormal development of tooth dentin, leading to teeth that are discolored, weak, and prone to rapid wear and breakage. In cases where modern medicine fails to offer a satisfactory solution, alternative approaches such as homeopathy can be considered. Homeopathy operates on the principle of treating the individual as a whole, taking into account the totality of symptoms rather than focusing solely on the disease. In the case of a 1.5-year-old child with features of Dentinogenesis imperfecta, conventional treatment options might be limited or ineffective due to the complexity of the condition.
However, homeopathic treatment offers a promising alternative. By carefully assessing the child’s symptoms and overall health status, a single, simple homeopathic medicine can be prescribed. Homeopathic remedies are known for their gentle action and lack of adverse effects, making them particularly suitable for children. Additionally, homeopathic treatment tends to be cost-effective compared to some conventional medical interventions, which can be especially beneficial for families seeking affordable healthcare solutions.
Conclusion:
In cases where conventional medicine falls short in addressing conditions like Dentinogenesis imperfecta, homeopathy emerges as a valuable therapeutic option. By considering the child’s complete symptom picture and prescribing a single, well-suited homeopathic remedy, significant improvements can be achieved. Not only does homeopathy offer a safe and effective solution, but it also brings hope and joy by restoring the child’s oral health and confidence, ultimately bringing a beautiful smile to their face.
The transformation
Acknowledgments
I am really thankful to my Sir Dr Mukesh Batra & Dr Akshay Batra for giving me this wonderful platform to work on , my teacher Dr Bindu Sharma for her guidance and my colleague Dr Tanvi Lokhande without whom this research work would not be possible
References
Global Genes – Dentinogenesis Imperfecta.
Kent repertory
Boericke Materia Medica
