Prevalence and Associated Factors to Developmental Defects of Enamel in Primary and Permanent Dentition

Background: The disturbances during enamel formation manifesting as Developmental Defects of Enamel (DDE) present important clinical significance since they are responsible for aesthetic problems, dental sensitivity and may act as predisposing factor for dental caries. The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence of DDE and associated etiological factors.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1550 children was examined, using a mouth mirror and a CPI probe. Diagnosis of DDE was established according to the modified DDE index. Relationships between DDE and body mass index (BMI), socioeconomic status (SES), childhood illness and birth weight were assessed using the multivariable logistic regression. Difference in proportion was tested using Kruskal-Wallis H, followed by Mann-Whitney U test for inter group comparison, and Chi-Square tests.

Results: The prevalence of DDE was 42.19%. The logistic regression model showed that there was a significant association of DDE with age (p<0.05), gender (p<0.05), low SES (p<0.05) and obesity (p<0.001). Demarcated opacity was the most frequent type of DDE both in primary and permanent dentition. Prevalence was more frequent in permanent dentition compared to primary dentition, with the permanent maxillary central incisor and primary maxillary second molars being the teeth affected most commonly.

Conclusions: Prevalence of DDE was more in permanent teeth compared to primary teeth. A significant association of DDE with gender, low SES and BMI was demonstrated in the present study.