MOLAR INCISOR HYPOMINERALIZATION AND CELIAC DISEASE

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Gastroenterology
• Genetics

Background:

• Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a developmental enamel defect with a complex etiology.
• While a link between celiac disease (CD) and developmental enamel defects exists, its specific association with MIH remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of MIH in patients diagnosed with celiac disease.
• To determine if CD is a risk factor for developing MIH.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 40 celiac disease patients and 40 healthy controls.
• MIH diagnosis was performed by a calibrated examiner using European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry criteria.
• Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and Fischer's exact test.

Main Results:

• Ten participants (12.5%) presented with MIH, with eight cases (80%) occurring in the CD group.
• Celiac disease patients had a 4.75 times higher likelihood of MIH compared to controls (P=0.044).
• Among 978 teeth, 22 showed MIH, predominantly (20 teeth) in CD patients, manifesting as demarcated opacities and post-eruptive enamel collapse.

Conclusions:

• Celiac disease is associated with an increased risk of molar incisor hypomineralization.
• The clinical presentation of MIH in CD patients may aid in the early diagnosis of celiac disease.