Abstract
The aim of this study was to detect molar–incisor hypomineralization (MIH) and caries prevalence in eight-year-old children with early mixed dentition in Eastern Croatia. There is a lack of data on MIH in Croatia. There were 729 children examined in total: 356 (48.83%) were female and 373 (51.16%) were male. The presence of MIH was found in 95 children, the prevalence of MIH was 13%, and the remaining 634 (87%) did not have any changes associated with MIH. The prevalence of caries overall in the population of examined children was 11.48%. In the group of children with MIH, the prevalence of caries was 24.14%, while in the group of children with no MIH, the prevalence of caries was 11.18%. Teeth had a Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index of 1.2, the value of the SiC index was 1.4, and the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) index for deciduous teeth was 5.8. Children with MIH had a caries index of DMFT 2.1, and the value of the SiC index was 2.6. The index of caries for non-MIH children was DMFT 1.1 and the SiC index was 1.2. MIH prevalence in Croatia is more common in girls than in boys. MIH has a significant impact on children’s development and is a major factor in the occurrence of caries.
Highlights
The term molar–incisor hypomineralization (MIH) was cited and defined for the first time by Weerheijm and associates in 2001 [1,2]
Pigmentation is accompanied by damage to the enamel and enamel crystals, resulting in permanent damage or even loss of the first permanent molars and incisors that are affected by MIH [6]
Guided by further comparisons with Ghanim’s research in 2011, our study found a lower prevalence of two molars affected by MIH, where Ghanim found a proportional increase in the magnitude of one to four molars in children with permanent molars and incisors
Summary
The term molar–incisor hypomineralization (MIH) was cited and defined for the first time by Weerheijm and associates in 2001 [1,2]. The basic characteristics of MIH are the presence of white, yellow, and even brown pigmentation on the surface of the first permanent molars and on the incisors of the upper and lower jaw [3,4,5]. Pigmentation is accompanied by damage to the enamel and enamel crystals, resulting in permanent damage or even loss of the first permanent molars and incisors that are affected by MIH [6]. Teeth affected with MIH have weaker enamel, and over time, the teeth become more prone to progressive action and caries, greater sensitivity, and faster decay [7]. The presence of MIH in children complicates treatment and the choice of proper therapy, and it leads to poor anesthesia tolerance, aesthetic deterioration in the forehead area, and chewing in the area of the jaw [8]. Public Health 2020, 17, 6358; doi:10.3390/ijerph17176358 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
