Molar Incisor Hypomineralization: Prevalence and severity in six to nine-year-old Sarajevo children

Research aimed to gather aepidemiological parameters of MIH from a sample of Sarajevo children born between the years 1999 and 2003. Prevalence of MIH, distribution according to severity (mild vs. moderate/severe cases) and distribution according to phenotypes (MIH vs MH) were investigated.

Study design: This was a cross-sectional, observational, aepidemiological study that was conducted on a sample of 446 children aged 6 to 9 years. It was conducted as a part of regular dental screening of children attending a randomly selected primary school in the Bosnian capital city of Sarajevo.

The overall prevalence of MIH was 11.5%. MIH prevalence varied between 19.9% of examinees born in year 2002 to 8.4% among those born in 2003. Number of teeth affected varied from 1 to 7. The average number of affected teeth was 3.82 ± 1.46. Demarcated opacities were recorded on 13.89%, post-eruptive enamel breakdown on 11.28% and atypical filling on 6.2% index teeth. Mild cases of MIH were rare in our sample, 18% of subject had only demarcated opacities present. A smaller percentage of examinees (35.3%) had hypomineralisation present only on first permanent molars (MH group). Out of 64.7% of subjects in MIH group, 37.25% had one incisor affected and 21.57% had two incisors affected.

Over 80% of study subjects with MIH were categorised as moderate/severe case of MIH and they represent a major problem with regards to dental treatment. It is necessary to plan a multi-disciplinary approach for dental care of this population. It is necessary to educate primary care dentists to recognise this condition and provide recommended treatment to patients with mild clinical picture, while directing those with more severe problems to specialised doctors.