A systematic review on the association between molar incisor hypomineralization and dental caries

Abstract

Background: Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a defect of enamel. The lower strength of the enamel can lead to fractures that predispose for plaque accumulation and caries.

Aim: This systematic review aimed to assess the association between MIH and caries.

Design: Studies involving children of all ages, which reported results on MIH and caries in the permanent dentition, were considered eligible. A search was performed in PubMed and was limited to the period from January 2003 to November 2015, and to studies written in English. Reviews, meta-analyses, and case reports were excluded. The studies were evaluated by use of the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS).

Results: Seventeen publications were compiled in the review. 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: A significant association between MIH and caries was found. The results should, however, be interpreted cautiously due to the lack of high-quality studies. The present systematic review confirms the need for further well-designed studies.