Question

A 15 year old presents with hypoplastic enamel on

tooth 1.5. All other teeth are normal. This was most
probably caused by a/an
A. vitamin D deficiency.
B. generalized calcium deficiency.
C. high fever encountered by the patient when he
had measles at age 3.
D. infection of tooth 5.5 during the development
of tooth 1.5.
E. hereditary factor.

Answer 1

Localized hypoplastic enamel on a single tooth in a child is most likely the result of a high fever during a disease like measles at a critical period of tooth development, rather than systemic deficiencies of nutrients such as vitamin D or calcium.

Step-by-step explanation:

A 15-year-old with hypoplastic enamel on tooth 1.5, with all other teeth appearing normal, was most likely affected by a high fever during a childhood illness such as measles at age 3. This hypoplasia is not due to a generalized deficiency like vitamin D or calcium deficiency that would typically have a more systemic impact causing rickets or generalized enamel defects. Instead, the specific and localized nature of the enamel hypoplasia on tooth 1.5 suggests a disruptive event such as high fever during the development of that tooth.