Lower dental pulp oxygen saturation in children with molar incisor hypomineralization: a cross-sectional study

This study evaluated the oxygen saturation of pulp tissue (SaO2) in first primary molars (FPM) with and without molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) and explored the correlations between MIH severity and pulp SaO2 levels. The cross-sectional design involved 29 children (16 girls and 13 boys, aged 7-11 years), yielding 116 FPM. The FPM were categorized into groups based on the presence or absence of MIH: Group 1 (G1) included teeth without MIH (n = 48); Group 2 (G2), mild MIH cases (n = 30); and Group 3 (G3), severe MIH cases (n = 38). Pulse oximetry was used to assess SaO2, with measurements conducted twice for each tooth, each lasting 30 seconds. Significant variations in the SaO2 levels were observed relative to the severity of MIH. The median SaO2 in G1 was 94% (IQR 90-98%), while MIH cases showed lower levels: 79% (IQR 71.5-83.5%) for mild MIH (G2) and 68% (IQR 55-75%) for severe MIH (G3) (p < 0.001). The FPM affected by MIH (G2 and G3) demonstrated lower SaO2 levels than those in G1, with severe cases exhibiting even lower levels than mild cases. This study provides important insights into the relationship between MIH severity and pulp SaO2 and suggests significant implications for clinical management strategies.