Yesterday we considered a review of the aetiological factors associated with molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH). There are concerns that the prevalence of MIH may be increasing and a number of studies have suggested that children with MIH are more likely to have dental caries.

The aim of this review is to assess the association between MIH and dental caries in the permanent dentition.

Methods

A search was conducted in Medline for studies conducted in children that reported on MIH and caries in permanent teeth. Studies in English published after 2003 were considered. Study selection was carried out in 3 stages independent reviewers. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS)

Results

• 17 studies (2 cohorts, 15 cross-sectional) were included
• None of the included studies was considered to be of high quality.
• The studies were conducted in a number of countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, China, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, New Zealand, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Thailand.
• Prevalence of MIH in the included studies ranged for 2.8%- 36.5%.
• Most publications reported that children with MIH have higher caries experience.
• One study did not observe a difference in DMF values among children affected or not by MIH.
• Three studies reported that children with MIH were 2.1 to 4.6 times more likely to have caries in the permanent dentition than children without MIH.

Conclusions

The authors concluded

The findings show a significant association between MIH and dental caries. Both DMF index and caries prevalence were higher in children with MIH than in children without MIH. As none of the studies included in the present review was, however, classified as high-quality studies, the results should be interpreted cautiously.

Comments

This review is restricted to a single database and English language studies so it is possible that relevant studies have not been included. The possibility for observer bias exists in the majority of the included studies as caries and DMF was assessed by the same observer, only in 3 studies were separate observers used. As the authors note the DMF index is insensitive which may result in an overestimation of caries levels in those affected by MIH.

Links

Primary paper

Americano GC, Jacobsen PE, Soviero VM, Haubek D. A systematic review on the association between molar incisor hypomineralization and dental caries. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2016 Apr 21. doi: 10.1111/ipd.12233. [Epub ahead of print] Review. PubMed PMID: 27098755.

Other references

Molar incisor hypomineralisation- review suggests link with childhood illnesses