Progression of molar incisor hypomineralization lesions over a 9-year period: results of the 6th German Oral Health Study (DMS • 6).

The article focuses on the progression of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH), a developmental enamel defect, over a nine-year period based on data from the 6th German Oral Health Study (DMS • 6). The longitudinal study reexamined 366 adolescents initially assessed at age 12 in 2014 and followed up at age 20 in 2023, analyzing 158 teeth affected by MIH. Results showed that 88.4% of affected teeth, primarily presenting as demarcated opacities, remained stable, while 11.6% worsened, with progression occurring exclusively in molars. Teeth with posteruptive enamel breakdown at baseline had a high likelihood (60%) of requiring restorative treatment, whereas mild MIH lesions generally remained nonprogressive. The study also found no significant difference in caries increment between participants with and without MIH over the observation period.