Presence of molar-incisor hypomineralization is associated with dental caries in Brazilian schoolchildren.

Lunna Farias,Heitor Marques Honório,Franklin Delano Soares Forte,Fabiana Vargas-Ferreira,Liege Helena Freitas Fernandes,Catarina Ribeiro Barros De Alencar,Alessandro Leite Cavalcanti,Isla Camilla Carvalho Laureano

doi:10.1590/1807-3107bor-2021.vol35.0013

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the prevalence of molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) in schoolchildren and its association with dental caries experience. This was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 471 children aged 8 to 10 years. Data were collected via a sociodemographic questionnaire. Intra-oral clinical examination was done to identify and diagnose MIH (EAPD Criteria) as well as dental caries (ICDAS Index). Statistical analyses were performed with Person's Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and Mann-Whitney tests, and Poisson regression models were built. Statistical significance was set at an alpha-level of 0.05. The prevalence of MIH in our participants was 9.8%, with lesions being mostly of the mild form (65.2%) and affecting the first permanent molars but not the incisors in 54.2% of the children. Dental caries was observed in 88.1% of subjects. We observed a significant association between dental caries and the following variables: presence of MIH (p < 0.01; PR = 1.13), dental visit (p < 0.02; PR=0.92), and parents or legal guardians' education level (p < 0.05; PR = 1.07). A MIH diagnosis was also significantly associated with family income (p < 0.05; PR = 4.09). Children with MIH had more caries lesions on molar surfaces (p < 0.01; PR = 4.05). The prevalence of MIH was found to be moderate, based on previous studies, and the presence of enamel defect was associated with dental caries. The teeth most affected by MIH lesions were the first permanent molars.

Highlights

Submitted: April 20, 2020 Accepted for publication: july 29, 2020 Last revision: August 24, 2020Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a developmental condition characterized by enamel defects originated during the maturation stage of amelogenesis.[1]
As to the participants’ oral health, almost half of the children complained of toothache (43.4%) and tooth sensitivity (43.0%) in the past 6 months, and most of them visited the dentist in the past semester (61.3%)
A similar finding was reported in another study performed in Brazil,[25] which found a prevalence of 9.5% of molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) in their sample

Summary

Introduction

Submitted: April 20, 2020 Accepted for publication: july 29, 2020 Last revision: August 24, 2020. Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a developmental condition characterized by enamel defects originated during the maturation stage of amelogenesis.[1] It involves hypomineralization of one to four first permanent molars but may affect permanent incisors.[2]. The etiological factors of MIH remain uncertain,[3] but most studies report an association of MIH with prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors, in addition to genetic and environmental conditions.[4] Respiratory diseases during the first year of life and prolonged use of antibiotics are reported in the literature as factors.[5,6]. The microstructure of MIH-affected enamel is preserved but its crystals are less dense and organized.[1] The affected enamel

Objectives

Results

Conclusion