Resin infiltration-taking the first steps to filling the holes in cheese molars.

Abstract

Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) involves enamel hypomineralization of systemic origin affecting one or more first permanent molars (FPM) and is often associated with other teeth, particularly the incisors. A challenging condition for both the clinician and the patient, MIH affected teeth are often subjected to repeated treatments and frequently the decision to extract one or more FPM is made. At present, there are no clinical reports of available restorative materials that are able to provide consistently adequate restorations on hypomineralized teeth. The concept of resin infiltration, which involves occluding incipient enamel carious lesions with low viscosity resins to arrest or slow the development of caries has the potential to be applied to hypomineralized enamel. Successful penetration of resin infiltrant into MIH affected enamel may aid in improving its micromechanical properties.