Developmental enamel defects: A review

Abstract

Introduction: Defects in tooth enamel development compromise the structural integrity of teeth, making them more susceptible to caries, wear and sensitivity. Objective: To analyze the literature on dental enamel development defects such as dental fluorosis, molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH), amelogenesis imperfecta and enamel hypoplasia, as well as their prevalence, etiology and treatment of each one of them. Methodology: A search was carried out in the databases PubMed, SCOPUS and Google Scholar using the keywords “Dental fluorosis”, “Molar-incisor hypomineralization”, “Hypoplastic enamel” and “Amelogenesis”. Results: Based on the literature, there is a wide variability in the prevalence of dental defects, with dental fluorosis being the most frequent. Fluorosis is attributed to high fluoride consumption, while MIH has a multifactorial etiology, amelogenesis imperfecta is related to genetic alterations and enamel hypoplasia to environmental and genetic factors. Treatments focus on improving dental esthetics, including whitening, microabrasion and application of infiltrative resins. In the case of MIH, sealants and calcium phosphate substances are additionally used to reduce sensitivity, caries risk and promote remineralization of the tooth. Conclusion: Dental enamel defects vary in their etiologies and prevalence and have profound impacts on the quality of life of patients. In terms of treatment, there are several options for esthetic purposes, desensitization and minimizing the appearance of carious lesions, such as infiltrative resins, whitening and microabrasion.