Prevalence of Molar Incisal Hypomineralization and its Association with Dental Caries, Oral hygiene Status, and Body Mass Index

Abstract

Aim: To determine the prevalence of molar incisal hypomineralization (MIH) in 8–12-year-old children of Chengalpattu population, Tamil Nadu, India. This study also attempts to find the association of MIH with body mass index (BMI), dental caries, and oral hygiene status. Materials and methods: A total of 430 schoolchildren between 8 and 12 years of age participated in this cross-sectional study. For MIH diagnosis, the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (EAPD) standards were used. The other parameters measured were height, weight, OHI-S score, and decayed, missing or filled teeth (DMFT) index. A descriptive summary of data was obtained and the Chi-square test and Pearson’s correlation test were performed. Results: The prevalence of MIH is 10.9%. Children aged 10 displayed the highest prevalence (48.9%) of any age-group. Statistically significant differences and strong correlations were achieved among the children with MIH pertaining to dental caries, BMI, height, debris index, and OHI-S score. Conclusion: The prevalence of MIH in the Chengalpattu district was 10.9% with no gender predilection. Yellow/brown demarcated opacities, with posteruptive breakdown being the most common type (74.4%). The study also found that there was an association of MIH with dental caries, oral hygiene status, and BMI of the child. Clinical significance: The MIH is a global dental issue that needs to be addressed at an early stage in order to prevent its rapid progression. This study helps in identifying the prevalence of this condition among the particular population, thereby stressing the importance of early identification and prevention. Further studies are required to find the strong etiology of this global disease.