Abstract
BackgroundThe aim was to assess the prevalence, distribution and associated risk factors of developmental defects of enamel (DDE) in 3-year-old Thuringian children in 2013 as part of a prospective cohort study.MethodsThe subjects (n = 377) were all participants in a Thuringian oral health programme. Children of the birth cohort 2009/2010 were invited to dental examination in the first year of life, followed up with continuous dental care over the next 3 years. Dental caries was scored using the WHO diagnostic criteria expanded to the d1-level without radiography. Enamel defects were assessed according to the modified DDE Index. Data were analysed statistically (multivariate logistic regression).ResultsThe children were aged 3.3 ± 0.7 years and 52.5 % of them were male. Caries prevalence was 15.6 % and caries experience 0.9 ± 3.3 d1-4mfs. The prevalence of DDE was 5.3 % with an average of 2.7 (±1.4) affected teeth. Second primary molars were the most affected teeth and demarcated opacities the most prevalent type. No child had Amelogenesis imperfecta and six children showed hypomineralised second primary molars. Enamel defects were associated with preterm birth (p = 0.024; OR = 4.9) and hospitalisation in the first year of life (p = 0.013; OR = 4.6).ConclusionA relatively small proportion of 3-year-old Thuringian children suffered from DDE, with second primary molars as the most affected teeth and demarcated opacities as the most prevalent type of defect. Preterm birth and hospitalisation in first year of life can be considered as risk factors for DDE in the primary dentition.Trial RegistrationGerman Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00003438
Highlights
The aim was to assess the prevalence, distribution and associated risk factors of developmental defects of enamel (DDE) in 3-year-old Thuringian children in 2013 as part of a prospective cohort study
The EAPD criteria are based on the mDDE and have advantages with respect to hypomineralised lesions owing to the scoring of post-eruptive enamel loss, atypical caries, atypical restoration and atypical extraction [11]
Significant associations were found between enamel defects in children with preterm birth and low birth weight (OR = 4.67), children with general disease and special health care needs (OR = 2.45), children with hospitalisation in the first year of life (OR = 4.44), and children with systemic antibiotic medication (OR = 2.21)
Summary
The aim was to assess the prevalence, distribution and associated risk factors of developmental defects of enamel (DDE) in 3-year-old Thuringian children in 2013 as part of a prospective cohort study. DDE can have a significant impact on oral health and aesthetic appearance; children with DDE may suffer from tooth sensitivity, increased caries susceptibility and altered occlusal function [1,2,3,4]. Several clinical indices have been developed to categorise enamel defects (for example the Dean-Index, the DDE Index, the modified DDE Index (mDDE) and the evaluation criteria of the EAPD), with the result that the conducted studies are not comparable [9, 11, 23,24,25]. The EAPD criteria are based on the mDDE and have advantages with respect to hypomineralised lesions owing to the scoring of post-eruptive enamel loss, atypical caries, atypical restoration and atypical extraction [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
