Our research group is actively conducting research on various dental diseases.
How to Participate
We welcome samples from all dogs with enamel defects or extra teeth, as well as from their close relatives. Samples are especially needed for ongoing studies.
1. Send us a blood sample from your dog. Instructions for sample collection can be found here.
2. We hope that photos of the teeth as well as any copies of veterinary reports and X-rays are included with the sample.
Contact Persons
Doctoral researcher Noora Salokorpi: noora.salokorpi@helsinki.fi (enamel defects)
Doctoral researcher Heidi Peltonen: heidi.peltonen@helsinki.fi (hyperdontia)
Amelogenesis Imperfecta
Amelogenesis imperfecta is a hereditary enamel developmental disorder in which the enamel forms abnormally or incompletely. In dogs, it usually appears as yellowish or brownish teeth, enamel wear, and tooth sensitivity.
Our group has ongoing studies in Border Collies, Danish-Swedish Farmdogs, Dachshunds, and Dobermans.
Hyperdontia
Hyperdontia, or extra teeth can occur in several breeds and can appear in both deciduous (puppy) and permanent teeth. Most commonly, extra teeth are seen as changes in the number of incisors or molars.
Our group has an ongoing study on extra permanent incisors in Shorthaired German Pointers. We are also interested in extra incisors occurring in other breeds.
Results
IP3 receptor depletion in a spontaneous canine model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 1J with amelogenesis imperfecta.Hytönen MK, Rönkkö J, Hundi S, Jokinen TS, Suonto E, Teräväinen E, Donner J, La Rovere R, Bultynck G, Ylikallio E, Tyynismaa H, Lohi H. PLoS Genet. 2025 Jan 13;21(1):e1011328.
Canine models of human amelogenesis imperfecta: identification of novel recessive ENAM and ACP4 variants. Hytönen MK, Arumilli M, Sarkiala E, Nieminen P, Lohi H. Hum Genet. 2019 May;138(5):525-533. Lue Helsingin yliopiston tiedote: ”Koirien hammaskiilteen kehityshäiriöön löytyi kaksi uutta geeniä”
