Systemic and Environmental Risk Factors Associated with Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Developmental Biology
• Public Health

Background:

• Molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) is a developmental defect of enamel with unclear etiology.
• Understanding MIH etiology is crucial for diagnosis, risk identification, and management.
• MIH is considered multifactorial, involving systemic, environmental, and potentially genetic factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and discuss systemic and environmental factors associated with MIH based on scientific evidence.
• To relate MIH etiology to the processes of amelogenesis and tooth development chronology.
• To identify specific risk factors during prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal periods.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific evidence on MIH etiology.
• Detailed description and illustration of amelogenesis.
• Discussion of tooth development chronology in relation to MIH.
• Analysis of prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal risk factors.

Main Results:

• Prenatal factors include maternal illnesses and smoking.
• Perinatal factors include prematurity, low birth weight, and cesarean delivery.
• Postnatal factors include childhood illnesses, respiratory diseases, infections, and antibiotic use.

Conclusions:

• MIH etiology is complex, involving multiple systemic and environmental influences.
• Amelogenesis and tooth development timing are key to understanding MIH.
• Future longitudinal studies are needed to explore the synergy between environmental exposures and biological susceptibility.