What is Hypomineralization of enamel?

Hypomineralisation is a condition that affects the outer layer (enamel) of your child’s teeth. It occurs due to a disturbance during tooth development, either during pregnancy or in the first two years of life.

What age does enamel form on permanent teeth?

For example, the enamel on a child’s permanent front teeth is typically formed by the time the child is five years old, whereas the enamel on a child’s second molars (the molars that are next to a child’s wisdom teeth) is not typically formed until around age eight.

What’s new in molar incisor Hypomineralization?

Although MIH is primarily a defect of enamel, changes in dentine and pulp have also been reported. Dentine under hypomineralized enamel has been found to have variable mineral content and hardness, which is suspected to be a post-eruptive consequence of the increased porosity of overlying enamel.

What is the difference between Hypomineralization and hypoplasia?

If a disturbance occurs during the secretion phase, the enamel defect is called hypoplasia. If it occurs during the mineralisation or maturation phase, it is called hypomineralisation.

What does enamel hypoplasia look like?

Have you ever noticed any discolorations or defects in your child’s tooth? You could be noticing enamel hypoplasia. This condition is a defect that causes a lesser quantity of enamel than normal. It can appear as a white spot, yellow to brown staining, pits, grooves or even thin, chipped or missing parts of enamel.

What causes molar Hypomineralization?

This developmental condition is caused by the lack of mineralisation of enamel during its maturation phase, due to interruption to the function of ameloblasts.

What stage of development does enamel hypoplasia occur?

It is essential to remember that enamel hypoplasia results only if the injury occurs during the formative stage of enamel development, i.e. during amelogenesis. Thus, the defect occurs before the tooth erupts into the oral cavity.

What causes molar incisor Hypomineralization?

MIH is considered a worldwide problem and usually occurs in children under 10 years old. This developmental condition is caused by the lack of mineralisation of enamel during its maturation phase, due to interruption to the function of ameloblasts.

How do you treat MIH?

Depending on the severity, MIH-affected molars have traditionally been treated with resin-based sealants and fillings, stainless steel crowns (SSCs), or even with oral surgeon and orthodontic referrals for extraction and second molar substitution.

How is Hypomineralization treated?

Can hypomineralisation be treated?

1. Desensitising agents such as Tooth Mousse.
2. Fissure sealants.
3. Fillings.
4. Stainless Steel Crowns.
5. Extractions for more severe cases.

How is enamel Hypomineralization treated?

How is molar incisor Hypomineralization treated?