THE PREVALENCE AND SEVERITY OF MOLAR INCISOR HYPOMINERALIZATION IN A GROUP OF CHILDREN LIVING IN ANKARA TURKEY

Abstract

Background and Aim: Little prevalence data relating to molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) exist for Turkey. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of MIH in two different age groups of Turkish children. Materials and Methods: A total of 4,018 children in Ankara, Turkey participated in the study. A younger group was comprised of children in Grade 2 aged 7-9 years (median age: 8.0), and an older group was comprised of children in Grade 5 aged 10-12 years (median age: 11.1). MIH was diagnosed based on the European Association of Pediatric Dentistry criteria. The data was analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-square, Fisher’s Exact, Spearman’s correlation and McNemar’s tests. Results: MIH was found to be prevalent at a significantly higher rate (p<0.05) among the younger group (8.5%) when compared to the older group (6.5%). Mild defects (whitecream and yellow-brown demarcated opacities) affecting first permanent molars were significantly higher in the younger age group (p<0.05), whereas atypical deep, large cavities, atypical restorations and extracted first permanent molars were significantly higher in the older age group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The present study found that MIH was present in 7.7% of 4,018 children and that severity of lesions increased with age. These results indicate that preventive approaches are very important at an early developmental age.