Associating the Presence of Structural Defects in Dental Enamel with Children's Health History

AbstractThe enamel defects, hypoplasia and hypo mineralization, are classified as dental anomalies of structure, being frequently found in deciduous and permanent dentitions, since the permanent teeth and second deciduous molars finish their total mineralization after the age of three. The aim of the present study was to identify the presence of hypo mineralization and/or enamel hypoplasia and to associate it with respiratory problems in infant patients. Of the 90 patients evaluated, it was found that 23 male children (57.5%) and 22 female children (44%) had defects in the structure of tooth enamel. Most children were born by cesarean operation (64.4%), with no complications during birth (90.0%), 12.2% of children had dental anomalies (agenesis, ectopic canine, ankylosis, fusion, conoid tooth, and macrodontia, only 7 children showed an association between dental anomalies and enamel defects. Regarding respiratory problems that occurred up to 3 years of age, 38.9% had an episode of asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, rhinitis, or pneumonia, and 55% had similar results at the current age. There was a positive association (Chi-square tests) between the presence of changes in the structure of tooth enamel and the presence of respiratory problems up to 3 years of age (p <0.001). It is concluded, therefore, that the presence of respiratory problems in early childhood, can interfere in amelogenesis, providing disturbances for the formation of normal enamel, causing defects or irregularities in the surface of the dental enamel, such as hypoplasias and hypo mineralization. Keywords: Dental Enamel Hypoplasia. Dental Enamel. Tooth Abnormalities. ResumoOs defeitos de esmalte, hipoplasia e hipomineralizacao, sao classificados como anomalias dentarias de estrutura, sendo encontrados com frequencia nas denticoes decidua e permanente, ja que os dentes permanentes e segundos molares deciduos finalizam sua total mineralizacao apos os tres anos de idade. O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar a presenca de hipomineralizacao e/ou hipoplasia de esmalte, e associa-la com problemas respiratorios no paciente infantil. Dos 90 pacientes avaliados, constatou-se que 23 criancas do genero masculino (57,5%) e 22 do genero feminino (44%) apresentaram defeitos na estrutura do esmalte dentario. A maioria das criancas nasceu de parto cesaria (64,4%), sem complicacao no parto (90,0%), 12,2% das criancas apresentaram anomalias dentarias (agenesia, canino ectopico, anquilose, fusao, dente conoide e macrodontia), somente 7 criancas apresentaram associacao entre anomalias dentarias e defeitos de esmalte. Em relacao a problemas respiratorios ocorrido ate aos 3 anos de idade 38,9% apresentaram algum episodio de asma, bronquite, sinusite, rinite ou pneumonia e 55% apresentaram resultados semelhantes na idade atual. Houve associacao positiva (Testes Qui Quadrado) entre a presenca de alteracoes na estrutura do esmalte dentario e presenca de problemas respiratorios ate os 3 anos de idade (p<0,001). Conclui-se, portanto, que a presenca de problemas respiratorios na primeira infância, podem interferir na amelogenese, proporcionando disturbios para formacao do esmalte normal, causando defeitos ou irregularidades na superficie do esmalte dentario, como hipoplasias e hipomineralizacoes. Palavras-chave: Hipoplasia do Esmalte Dentario. Esmalte Dentario. Anormalidades Dentarias.