Potential Association of Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) with Dental Agenesis and Infraoccluded Deciduous Molars: Is MIH Related to Dental Anomaly Pattern (DAP)? An Observational Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Background: Dental Anomaly Pattern (DAP) is a collection of morphologic, numeric, and eruptive anomalies of teeth that are often observed together, suggesting a potential genetic relationship. Our objective was to assess the potential associations of Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH), a common developmental defect of enamel mineralization with a controversial etiology, with two specific components of DAP: (1) agenesis (AG) and (2) infraoccluded deciduous molars (IODM). Establishing such an association between MIH and one or both anomalies would provide evidence supporting a genetic link between MIH and DAP. Methods: We examined pretreatment intraoral standardized photographies and panoramic radiographs from 574 children aged 8-14 years, 287 having MIH and 287 without MIH, comparing the frequencies of AG and IODM in both groups. The subject samples were sourced from the databases of the orthodontic department at a university hospital. Results: The frequencies of AG in the MIH and non-MIH groups were 7% and 8%, respectively (p = 0.751). The corresponding frequencies of IODM were 27% and 19.2%, respectively (p = 0.082). That is, children with MIH did not exhibit an increased frequency of AG or IODM compared to those without MIH. Conclusions: These findings do not support the inclusion of MIH in DAP. Nevertheless, further analysis of possible associations is necessary to definitively validate or invalidate this hypothesis.