Enamel Defects in Children
Common enamel abnormalities affecting children's teeth and their management.
Enamel defects in children include hypoplasia (thin/missing enamel), hypomineralization (soft/porous enamel), and opacities (white, yellow, or brown spots). The most recognized condition is Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH), affecting 12-15% of children worldwide, causing breakdown of first permanent molars and incisors. Causes include prenatal factors (maternal illness, medications), perinatal complications (premature birth, low birth weight), and postnatal events (high fevers, antibiotics, childhood illnesses before age 3). Treatment ranges from fluoride application and sealants for mild cases to composite restorations, crowns, and in severe MIH cases, extraction of affected molars with orthodontic closure of the space.