It has been addressed by several worldwide epidemiologic studies to determine the prevalence and relationship between decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) and enamel hypoplasia in each region of the world1,2,3, but little is known about the rate and relationship between DMFT and enamel hypoplasia in Iran.
Majid et al.2 studied caries prevalence and enamel defects in 229 Malaysian teenagers between the ages of 12 and 15 years of age. Results showed caries prevalence was 82.2% with a DMFT score of 3.4. The prevalence of enamel defects was 76.4% with 19.1% of all teeth being affected. More posterior teeth than anterior teeth were affected and more maxillary than mandibular teeth were affected by enamel defects. Diffuse patchy opacities were the most common defect diagnosed, and this was found in 60.2% of the population examined. Bilateral distributions of diffuse patchy opacities were seen in 41.5% of the population examined. Tooth surfaces with enamel defects were no more susceptible to caries than caries-free surfaces.
Montero et al.3 studied caries prevalence and enamel defects in 517 children. Results showed the mean DMFT was 3, 38% of the children had carious teeth, and the prevalence of enamel defects was 49%. Linear opacities accounted for 50% of the lesions. A positive association between enamel defects and caries was observed.
To look into these issues with more details, the current study was designed to determine the rate of enamel hypoplasia and to examine its relationships with DMFT index in 12-year old children in Iran.
In 2000 both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Federation Dentaire Internationale (FDI) announced the age of 12 is of special importance with regard to caries and enamel hypoplasia4 so the present study was done on this age group.
Majid et al.2 studied caries prevalence and enamel defects in 229 Malaysian teenagers between the ages of 12 and 15 years of age. Results showed caries prevalence was 82.2% with a DMFT score of 3.4. The prevalence of enamel defects was 76.4% with 19.1% of all teeth being affected. More posterior teeth than anterior teeth were affected and more maxillary than mandibular teeth were affected by enamel defects. Diffuse patchy opacities were the most common defect diagnosed, and this was found in 60.2% of the population examined. Bilateral distributions of diffuse patchy opacities were seen in 41.5% of the population examined. Tooth surfaces with enamel defects were no more susceptible to caries than caries-free surfaces.
