Hypomineralized Teeth and Their Impact on Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life in Primary School Children

Advances in clinical diagnosis and management of amelogenesis imperfecta in children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To summarize studies published between 2017 and 2023 examining the clinical diagnosis and restorative management of amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) in children and adolescents.

DATA

The review incorporated publications on clinical diagnosis, patient-reported outcomes, clinical trials, cohort studies, and case reports that included individuals below 19 years of age with non-syndromic AI.

SOURCES

A literature search was conducted across electronic databases, PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL, including papers published between 2017 and 2023. The search yielded 335 unique results, of which 38 were eligible for inclusion.

RESULTS

New evidence on the genetic background of AI makes it now advisable to recommend genetic testing to supplement a clinical AI diagnosis. The discussions of the dental profession and the public on social media do not always incorporate recent scientific evidence. Interview studies are finding that the impact of AI on quality of life is more severe than previously appreciated. New evidence suggests that single-tooth ceramic crowns should be the first choice of treatment. Due to incomplete reporting, case reports have been of limited value.

CONCLUSION

In young patients with AI symptoms of pain and hypersensitivity decreased, and aesthetics were improved following all types of restorative therapy. Resin composite restorations were mainly performed in cases with hypoplastic AI and mild symptoms. Single tooth ceramic crown restorations have a high success rate in all types of AI and can be used in young individuals with AI.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Prosthetic rehabilitation in adolescents with severe AI is cost effective, improves esthetics, reduces tooth sensitivity, and improves oral health-related quality of life.

The Impact of Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation on Children and Adolescents: A Narrative Review

Molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) is a qualitative developmental enamel defect with a prevalence of 13% worldwide. This review aims to outline the current evidence regarding the impact of MIH on children's oral health and, more broadly, their day-to-day activities. MIH is associated with negative sequelae, including hypersensitivity, post-eruptive breakdown, the rapid development of carious lesions and poor aesthetics. Other concerns pertain to the clinical management of MIH and include difficulty in achieving local anaesthesia, increased dental fear and anxiety (DFA) and increased behaviour management problems. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is the most standardised measure of patient impact; however, no instruments have been validated for use in MIH populations. The few existing observational studies investigating the impact of MIH on OHRQoL in children have produced conflicting results. Interventions to alleviate hypersensitivity and improve aesthetics had a positive impact on the OHRQoL of MIH-affected children. Multiple methodological issues make it difficult to measure the impact of MIH, including heterogeneity in the MIH severity classification, an overlap in the indices used to diagnose dental caries and MIH as well as the subjectivity of outcome measures for hypersensitivity and DFA.

Does information about MIH on dental homepages in Germany offer high quality? A systematic search and analysis

PURPOSE

The internet is increasingly used to seek health information. A dental condition of increasing concern and public interest is molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH), why we evaluated the information quality of German dentists 'websites on the topic of MIH.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed by two independent investigators using three search engines. The information content of websites on MIH and technical, functional aspects, overall quality, and risk of bias were assessed using validated instruments (LIDA, DISCERN). Practice-related characteristics (practice type, specialization, setting, number and mean age of dentists) were recorded, and associations of these characteristics with websites' overall quality were explored using multivariable linear regression modelling.

RESULTS

70 sites were included. 52% were multipractices in urban areas (49%). The most common age group was middle-aged individuals (41-50 years). The average number of dentists/practice was 2.5. The majority met more than 50% of the DISCERN and LIDA criteria (90%, 91%). The MIH definition was frequently used (67%), MIH symptoms were described (64%), and 58% mentioned therapies. The prevalence of MIH was mentioned less frequently (48%). MIH example photographs were rarely shown (14%). In multivariable analysis, most practice-related factors were not significant for overall site quality. Only chain practices had slightly higher quality in this regard (2.2; 95% CI of 0.3-4.1).

CONCLUSIONS

MIH is mentioned on a large proportion of dentists' websites. Overall technical, functional, and generic quality was high. Risk of bias is limited. While most websites provided a basic definition of MIH and its symptoms, important information for patients was missing.

Oral health-related quality of life and survival analysis after preventive and restorative treatment of molar-incisor hypomineralisation

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children and adolescents, including information on restorative care, tooth sensitivity, as well as sociodemographic factors. Thirty-five patients aged between 7 and 17 years underwent a comprehensive oral examination. Severity of MIH was graded using the MIH Treatment Need Index (MIH-TNI), OHRQoL using the Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP-19). Clinical quality of restorations was assessed according to modified FDI-criteria, tooth sensitivity using the Schiff Cold Air Sensitivity Scale (SCASS). The mean age was 11.3 ± 3.0 years, 34% were female. On average, 6.9 ± 2.8 teeth were affected, 62,9% had hypersensitive teeth (SCASS ≥ 1). Eighty-nine percent of patients had received restorative care, with a mean of 3.3 ± 2.1 teeth restored, most often with composite, followed by fissure sealing. Nine percent of restorations failed by the FDI-criteria. Mean estimated survival times for success were 4.9 years (95% CI 3.5; 6.2) and 5.6 years (95% CI 5.0; 6.3) for fissure sealants and composite restorations, respectively. The mean COHIP-19 score was 64.3 ± 8.2 (max. possible score = 76). A higher severity of MIH-TNI correlated significantly with impaired OHRQoL (rs = - 0.38, p = 0.013). However, this was not mirrored in multiple regression analysis. Despite the high rate of restorative treatment with an acceptable failure rate, OHRQoL is reduced in children with MIH. Many teeth affected by MIH remain sensitive. Further studies are needed to assess the benefits of different restorative options.

Update of the molar incisor hypomineralization: Würzburg concept

PURPOSE

Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is playing an increasingly important role in dental practice. MIH is defined as hypomineralization of systemic origin of one to four permanent first molars, often associated with affected incisors. Affected teeth are more susceptible to caries and post-eruptive enamel loss and should be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. In 2016, the Würzburg concept was developed for German-speaking countries including a classification index-the MIH Treatment Need Index (MIH-TNI)-and a treatment plan based on it for the use in daily practice. In the meantime, the concept has also gained international recognition. The aim of this paper is to update part 2 of the Würzburg concept, the treatment plan, as knowledge about MIH has increased and the disease has been studied more extensively in the last years. Other treatment approaches are now available and therefore need to be included in the concept. Although, the evidence of the different treatment options is still weak, practitioners need guidance in their daily practice.

METHODS

The authors reviewed the available literature, including clinical and laboratory studies and published guidelines.

RESULTS

The updated version of the Würzburg concept includes additional non-invasive strategies and temporary therapy options, as well as treatment approaches for incisors. It therefore covers currently available treatment modalities for MIH-affected teeth, ranging from prophylaxis, non-invasive treatment to restorative approaches and possibly even extraction.

CONCLUSIONS

This is intended to help guide the practitioner and will need to be further validated by clinical trials.