Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation - Etiology, Prevalence, Clinical Picture and Treatment - Review

Molar-incisor-hypomineralization (MIH) is a clinical entity manifested by a developmental disturbance of the enamel of a systemic origin. The abnomality can affect one or more first permanent molars and, usually less frequently, one or more incisors. The aim of the paper was to describe the prevalence, etiological factors, clinical manifestation and the treatment of MIH in children based on the papers published in the last 10 years. Moreover, the diagnostic criteria and the severity of MIH accepted by EAPD were described. It was found that MIH prevalence greatly varies in the population of different countries ranging from 2.8 to 40.2%. MIH being a quatitative defect of enamel manifests as localized demarcated opacities whitish-yellow or yellowish-brown colour. Post-eruptive enamel breakdown can occur soon after the tooth eruption, revealing irregular decay which is prone to caries development. The condition is caused by various prenatal, perinatal and postnatal environmental factors disturbing the mineralization process of the enamel. The hypomineralized enamel in MIH teeth reveals a high degree of porosity extending from enamel-dentine junction to the normal cervical enamel and lower hardness and some differences in chemical composition. The treatment options of the abnomality are related to the severity of the enamel defect and range from prevention and reconstruction to extraction