ABSTRACT
Severe hypomineralized first permanent molars (cheese molars) can be found in children. The aetiology of this phenomenon is unknown. The aim of this study is to collect more information about the causes of such molars. Parents of 24 children with severe cheese molars and of 21 controls without cheese molars, matched for age, living area and sex were interviewed. The mean age of the 45 children was 9.9 year (; ssd: 2.02). A questionnaire about the medical data from birth to four years of age and the medical situation of the mother during pregnancy was sent to the parents. No significant differences were found concerning weight and length at the time of birth between the two groups. Also no significant differences were found for the period of breast-/and bottle-feeding and for problems of the mother during pregnancy and child delivery. The mothers were healthy during pregnancy. Compared to the control group the children with cheese molars were ill more often Significant differences were found for pneumonia, high fever and inflammation of the middle ear.
Subject(s)
Health Status , Tooth Demineralization/etiology , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant Care/methods , Infant, Newborn , Male , Molar , Pregnancy , Risk Factors , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
AIM: This study aimed to collect more information on factors associated with molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH), which is a frequent developmental enamel defect with unknown aetiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to the parents of 45 children (average age 9.9 years; SD+/-2.02), 24 with affected first molars and 21 controls. The two groups of children were similar in terms of age, gender and living conditions. Questions were asked about the health of mother and child during pregnancy, the birth and health of the child up to age four years. RESULTS: Birth weight and length in the two groups of children were similar, as was the duration of breast- and/or bottle-feeding and the incidence of complications during pregnancy and birth. The children with MIH were ill more frequently during the first four years of life. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the type of disease that might be involved in the development of such molars is still inadequate, but there appears to be an association with pneumonia, otitis media and high fevers.
ABSTRACT
In the Netherlands, first permanent molars with idiopathic enamel disturbances (IED) are called cheese molars. Though concern is expressed about their prevalence, adequate figures on the subject are missing. The porous enamel of cheese molars can be very sensitive to cold air and can decay rapidly. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence in eleven-year-old Dutch children of cheese molars (IED). During an epidemiological study performed in four cities in the Netherlands, the first permanent molars and central incisors of eleven-year-old children were examined for hypoplasia, opacities, posteruptive enamel loss, premature extraction, and atypical restorations. The observation of a hypoplasia excluded the possibility of cheese molar. A total of 497 children were examined. Six percent (n = 128) of the molars (n = 1988) showed signs of IED (cheese molars), 10 percent of the children had cheese molars of which 8 percent two or more. Incisors (4 percent) with opacities were found in 3 percent in combination with two or more cheese molars. Among the four cities, no significant differences in occurrence were found. The results of this study showed that in 10 percent of the Dutch children eleven years of age, cheese molars (IED) were found. The cause for the phenomenon called cheese molars appears to be child centered. Further studies on prevalence, causes and prevention are mandatory.
