Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate if a developmental enamel defect known as Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) is associated with dental caries. Socioeconomic status (SES) was examined as a confounding factor between caries and MIH. In this cross-sectional study, 636 children, aged 8 to 13 years, from three towns (two rural areas and one urban area) in Finland were examined for MIH in line with the criteria of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry. Caries status for permanent teeth was recorded as decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT). Caries experience (DMFT > 0) in the first permanent molars (FPMs) was set as an outcome. SES was determined using a questionnaire completed by parents. The prevalence of MIH was 18.1%. The mean DMFT in FPMs for children with MIH was higher than for their peers, 1.03 ± 1.25 vs. 0.32 ± 0.80 (p = 0.000, Mann-Whitney U test). In a multivariate analysis using the generalized linear mixed model where locality, SES, age and MIH were taken into account as caries risk indicators, MIH was the strongest risk indicator of caries in FPMs (Odds Ratio: 6.60, 95% Confidence Interval: 3.83–11.39, p = 0.000). According to the study results, children with MIH have a higher risk for dental caries than children without MIH.
Highlights
Caries rates have been declining during the past decades, and many Western populations are classified as low-caries populations
Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) was more often diagnosed in the maxillary first permanent molars (FPMs) (n = 143) than in the mandibular FPMs (n = 82) (63.6% vs. 36.4%)
The diagnostic criteria for MIH were in line with those set by the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD) in 2003 [21], but lesions smaller than 2 mm in diameter were not recorded
Summary
Caries rates have been declining during the past decades, and many Western populations are classified as low-caries populations. The distribution of caries is skewed, and a small number of individuals experience most of the caries lesions and restorations. Individuals with a high risk for caries need to be identified and treatments carried out respectively. Many caries risk factors have been identified, and one of them is low socioeconomic status (SES) [1]. Some of the risk factors are still under discussion. In a review and meta-analysis on the association between developmental defects of enamel (DDE) and caries, it was concluded that enamel defects may be considered as a potential risk factor for caries [2]
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