Severity of Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization, Caries and Dental Treatment Needs

Objectives: To evaluated if severity of molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is associated with more caries experience and need for invasive dental treatments.
Methods: The sample comprised of 64 children, 32 with MIH and 32 without MIH paired by age and sex, who were treated at the Pediatric Dentistry clinics of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. A calibrated examiner performed clinical examination (intra-examiner Kappa=0.8) and MIH was measured using the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry criteria of 2003. Caries experience was assessed by the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Data collected at examination included: degree of MIH severity (mild /severe); caries experience (DMFT=0/DMFT≥1) and dental treatment needs (yes/no). Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests (alpha=5%) were used in all comparisons.
Results: Most children were males in both groups (MIH group n=18) (without MIH group n=18) average ages of 9.31 and 9.43 years, respectively. A total of 21 children with MIH received restorative treatment and seven received periodontal treatment. Seventeen affected children had severe MIH. Patients with MIH had more caries experience (p=0.04) and more dental treatment needs (p=0.04). Patients with severe MIH showed more dental treatment needs than patients with mild MIH (p=0.03).
Conclusions: Children with MIH have more caries experience and dental treatment needs.