Molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) – aetiology, clinical picture, treatment

Introdution. Molar-incisor hypomineralisation is a disorder of dental enamel of a systemic origin. It may affect one or all four first permanent molars, and often involves permanent incisors. Aim. The aim of this study was to present views on aetiology, clinical picture and treatment of molar-incisor hypomineralisation. Material and methods. PubMed database was reviewed for years 2003-2017, the search criteria were: “molar incisor”, “hypomineralisation”, “permanent teeth”. Results. The aetiology of MIH is multifactorial and not fully explained. Authors agree that the general health during the first 3-4 years of life has a major impact on this disorder. The clinical picture includes demarcated white, yellow or brown tissue spots, and increased porosity of the enamel. Enamel damage and defects can also occur. Therapeutic management depends on the severity of the disease and includes intensive prevention, hard tissue reconstruction, and extractions. Conclusions. Due to the increasing prevalence of this disorder, special attention should be paid to children whose health status is or was bad in the first 3-4 years of life. They are at a higher risk for this condition.