Contemporary Understanding of the Etiology and Management of Molar Incisor Hypomineralization: A Literature Review

Abstract

Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a significant health problem that can affect the child’s quality of life by negatively affecting their esthetics and function. This review aimed to summarize the etiology and pathogenesis of MIH. It also aimed to summarize the recent studies on MIH in children and adolescents, focusing on diagnosis, prevention, and clinical management. An electronic search on the PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, MedlinePlus, WHO reports, and Google Scholar databases was performed. The volume of research on the etiology, presentation, and clinical management of MIH is still expanding. The creation and validation of indices for the diagnosis and management of MIH, as well as any potential genetic aspects appear to be the main areas of current research. Notably, MIH was linked to childhood illnesses, the use of antibiotics, and early childhood fever. Although many studies discuss the different options for managing MIH lesions, evidence-based studies that address the long-term outcomes of MIH are still lacking. Indeed, future clinical studies should be directed to evaluate the impact of each systemic etiological factor and its different types of management on normal amelogenesis. Regarding the diagnosis, future research should focus on the pre-eruption diagnosis and early approaches to prevent the post-eruption breakdown and caries. Regarding the treatment of MIH, future investigations should emphasize further improvements in adhesion and the use of new materials and techniques, such as digital dentistry.

Treatment Approaches to Molar Incisor Hypomineralization: A Systematic Review

“…The key distinction from MIH is that amelogenesis imperfecta affects all teeth, whereas MIH selectively targets the first molars and incisors (Figure 2). An accurate diagnosis is essential for appropriate and timely treatment [25,41,[50][51][52][53][54]. In patients with MIH, prevention plays a pivotal role in averting further complications and ensuring oral health.…”

Treatment Strategies for Incisors of Children Affected by Molar Incisor Hypomineralization: A Narrative Review

“…Additionally, other factors, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, birth hypoxia, and cesarean section delivery, may contribute to MIH. In addition, postnatal factors, especially diseases experienced by the child, especially in the first three years of life, medication usage, especially antibiotics, and prolonged breastfeeding, are notable [9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that some factors, such as environmental pollution due to climate change and the presence of various elements in the air and water above a certain level, may also contribute to MIH [9,14,[16][17][18].…”

Molar incisor hypomineralization and oral health-related quality of life in Brazilian children: A narrative review of current evidence

“…In Brazil, recent studies have demonstrated a prevalence ranging from 12% to 16% among children (Portella et al, 2019;Silva et al, 2017). Recently, MIH has garnered attention as a burgeoning public health concern, given its substantial impact on children's oral health (Alzahrani et al, 2023). Teeth affected by MIH exhibit heightened susceptibility to the rapid development of caries due to increased enamel porosity, structural loss, and exposure of dentinal tubules, thereby facilitating pulpal inflammation (Crombie et al, 2009;Mangum et al, 2010).…”