Define molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) and describe a practical management approach in the mixed dentition.

Study for the Pediatric Dentistry II Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Prepare thoroughly for your exam!

MIH is a demarcated hypomineralization of enamel that most often involves the first permanent molars and is frequently associated with affected incisors. The enamel in these areas is softer, making teeth prone to post-eruptive breakdown, hypersensitivity, and accelerated wear, especially soon after eruption. In the mixed dentition, the goal is to protect and preserve teeth while eruption and development continue, using a preventive and minimally invasive approach. Practical management includes applying preventive fluoride therapies to strengthen remaining enamel and reduce sensitivity, placing fissure sealants on the first permanent molars to shield vulnerable pits and fissures, and using microabrasion for superficial incisor opacities to improve aesthetics when appropriate. For areas of breakdown, conservative restorations with bonded composites or glass ionomer cement help preserve tooth structure, and severely affected molars may require stainless steel crowns for durable, lengthier preservation. Regular, careful monitoring is essential to detect progression and adapt the treatment plan as the dentition develops.