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Micro-dissection of Enamel Organ from Mandibular Incisor of Rats Exposed to Environmental Toxicants
Published on: March 29, 2018
Dental enamel, fluorosis and amoxicillin
I Ciarrocchi1, C Masci, A Spadaro
1Department of Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of L'Aquila, Italy. irma.ciarrocchi@hotmail.it
La Pediatria Medica E Chirurgica : Medical and Surgical Pediatrics
|September 13, 2012
Summary
This review found no evidence linking amoxicillin use in children to dental fluorosis or Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH). Further research is needed to confirm this association and guide antibiotic prescriptions for common childhood infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric pharmacology
- Dental public health
- Microbiology
Background:
- Amoxicillin is a widely prescribed antibiotic for pediatric upper respiratory tract infections, including acute otitis media (AOM).
- Concerns exist regarding a potential link between early childhood amoxicillin exposure and dental enamel defects like Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH).
- This potential association appears independent of other known risk factors for dental anomalies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a literature review examining the association between amoxicillin and dental fluorosis, including MIH.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was performed using Medline (PubMed) and the Cochrane Library (CENTRAL).
- Keywords included "amoxicillin*", "dental fluorosis*", "dental enamel*", and "MIH*."
- Three relevant studies published between 1966 and 2011 were included in the final review.
Main Results:
- The reviewed literature revealed methodological limitations across the included studies.
- No definitive evidence was found to support an association between amoxicillin use and dental fluorosis or MIH.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence is insufficient to establish a causal link between amoxicillin and dental fluorosis/MIH due to methodological issues in existing studies.
- Further well-designed research is recommended to clarify this relationship.
- Consideration should be given to alternative antibiotic treatments for recurrent AOM in young children when feasible.
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