Work

Clinical significance of residual yellow–brown enamel opacities in severe molar incisor hypomineralisation: a cross-sectional study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) and investigate whether residual yellow-brown enamel opacities coexisting on the same tooth surface as clinically advanced MIH lesions are associated with severe clinical outcomes, including post-eruptive breakdown, atypical restorations, and atypical caries lesions. METHODS: This cross-sectional study examined 680 schoolchildren aged 6 to 10 years from Bauru, Brazil, for MIH. Two trained and calibrated examiners performed the assessments using a modified version of the extended MIH index (MIH_e), which allows the simultaneous recording of multiple clinical features on the same tooth surface. Examinations were conducted under artificial lighting using school chairs, a mouth mirror, and a WHO probe. Descriptive statistics were used to report MIH prevalence and characteristics. Chi-square tests evaluated the association between the colour of residual demarcated opacities and the presence of post-eruptive breakdown, atypical restorations, and atypical caries lesions. The statistical significance level was 5%. RESULTS: MIH was detected in 24.8% of the participants. The most frequently observed feature was yellow-brown demarcated opacity (45.5%), followed by white-creamy opacity (35.1%), post-eruptive breakdown (9.2%), atypical restorations (5.9%), and atypical caries lesions (5.3%). A statistically significant association (p < 0.05) was found between the colour of opacities and the presence of severe clinical outcomes, with yellow-brown opacities more commonly associated with them. CONCLUSION: MIH prevalence in Bauru was high (24.7%). Yellow-brown residual opacities were statistically significantly associated with clinical severity, reinforcing their usefulness as indicators of more advanced MIH.

Source: European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry

DOI: 10.1007/s40368-026-01187-x

Authors: F. L. Mendonça, I. C. Grizzo, D. D. S. Martins, B. L. Polo, A. M. Ferreira, D. Rios

Institution: Universidade de São Paulo

Language: English

Topic: Dental Health and Care Utilization

Subfield: Periodontics

Field: Dentistry

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,590