Dental Developmental Defects: A Pilot Study to Examine the Prevalence and Etiology in a Population of Children between 2 and 15 Years of Age

Dental development defects (DDDs) are quantitative and/or qualitative alterations produced during odontogenesis that affect both primary and permanent dentition. The etiology remains unknown, being associated with prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors. The aims were to identify the possible etiological factors, as well as the prevalence of DDDs in the primary and permanent dentition in a pediatric population. Two hundred twenty-one children between 2 and 15 years of age, patients of the master's degree in Pediatric Dentistry of the Complutense University of Madrid, were reviewed. DDDs were observed in 60 children. Next, a cross-sectional, case-control study was carried out (60 children in the control group and 60 children in the case group). The parents or guardians completed a questionnaire aimed at identifying associated etiological factors. The prevalence of DDDs in patients attending our master's program in both dentitions was 27.15%. Otitis, tonsillitis, high fevers, and medication intake stood out as the most relevant postnatal factors among cases and controls. The permanent maxillary right permanent central incisor and the primary mandibular right second molar were the most affected; there were no differences in relation to gender. One out of three children who presented DDDs in the primary dentition also presented DDDs in the permanent dentition. Prenatal and postnatal etiological factors showed a significant relationship with DDD alterations, considered risk factors for DDDs in both dentitions.