Prevalence and aetiology of Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation among children aged 8-10 years in Tirana, Albania.

AIM: Molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) describes the clinical appearance of enamel hypomineralisation of systemic origin affecting one or more permanent first molars (PFMs) that are frequently associated with affected incisors. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and aetiology of MIH in children living in Tirana, Albania. DESIGN: The study was conducted at the Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, and Tirana Dental Public Health Service. A total of 1,575 school children aged 8-10 years were examined by 7 calibrated examiners (dentists) (kappa: 0.86). The Weerheijm criteria were used for the diagnosis of demarcated opacities, post-eruption breakdown, atypical restorations, and extracted PFMs due to MIH. RESULTS: Prevalence of MIH was found to be 14% (n=227). In the 227 children with MIH, tooth 36 was the most affected PFM, and tooth 46 the least affected. Tooth 21 was the most affected incisor and tooth 32 the least affected incisor by MIH. MIH(+) children had significanly more childhood diseases in the first 3 years of life (p=0.006). Among the children who used antibiotics, MIH(+) cases were 1.41 (1.06-1.87) times higher than in children who did not usedantibiotics, MIH(-) cases. CONCLUSION: MIH was found to be common among 8-10 year-old Tirana children.

Fluoride varnish application: a new prophylactic method in Albania. Effect on enamel carious lesions in permanent dentition.

AIM: The aim of this study is to assess the effects of fluoride varnishes on enamel caries lesions on permanent dentition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 92 children from primary school (Vasil Shanto, Tirana, Albania) aged 11-12 years were divided into varnish (experimental) and control group. The experiment group received the first fluoride varnish application (Fluoridin, Voco) at baseline, the second application after 3 months and the third application at 6 months from baseline, while the children in the control group received no professional fluoride application. Examinations were performed at baseline and after 7 months. RESULTS: We observed a slight increase in caries prevalence in the control group compared with the varnish group at the 7 month interval (P <0.1 for DMFT and P <0.5 for DMFS and DS). When enamel lesions were included the mean of DeMFT, DeMFS, DeS the caries prevalence was significantly lower in the varnish group after 7 months (P <0.001 for DeMFT, DeMFS). CONCLUSION: Fluoride varnish is an effective mean for arresting early enamel lesions. It is a safe, convenient and well accepted method by patients.