Association of dental hypersensitivity and anxiety in children with molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH)

Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2023 Jun;24(3):313-319. doi: 10.1007/s40368-023-00803-4. Epub 2023 May 18.

Abstract

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate whether dental hypersensitivity and dental fear were linked to the presence and severity of MIH.

Methods: For this cross-sectional study, 1830 students between the ages of 6 and 12 years were recruited from four randomly selected schools. The Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale questionnaire was used to assess dental anxiety and fear. The children's self-reported dental hypersensitivity resulting from MIH was evaluated using the Wong-Baker Facial Scale and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Results: MIH was correlated with tooth hypersensitivity, particularly in severe cases. Dental fear was present in 17.4% of the children with MIH, but it was not associated with dental hypersensitivity, gender, or age.

Conclusion: No association was found between dental fear and dental hypersensitivity in children with MIH.

Keywords: Dental anxiety; Molar-incisor hypomineralization; Pediatric dentistry; Tooth sensitivity.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dental Anxiety
  • Dental Enamel Hypoplasia* / complications
  • Fear
  • Humans
  • Incisor
  • Molar
  • Molar Hypomineralization*
  • Prevalence