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Enamel defects in the primary dentition of preterm and full-term children
D B L Gravina1, V R N Cruvinel, T D P L Azevedo
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brazil. danuzeblamas@ucb.br
Aim:
This study compared enamel defects in children born prematurely and at term.
Method:
96 children born at term (G1), and with 96 children born prematurely (G2) were studied.
Results:
A higher prevalence of enamel defects was found in the premature group, with a predominance of hypoplasia. In G1, 64 teeth displayed enamel defects (51 opacities and 13 hypoplasias). In G2, 110 defective teeth were found, (29 opacities and 81 hypoplasias). A significant correlation was found between very low birth weight (VLBW) and the presence of these defects (p < or = 0.001). The teeth most affected were the incisors, canines and molars.
Conclusion:
Prematurity, in conjunction with other factors, can predispose children to enamel defects.
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