How to Make Incisor Opacities Disappear in Children and Adolescents With Molar Incisor Hypomineralization? A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE

Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a developmental enamel defect that often leads to aesthetic concerns, particularly when affecting incisors. Various treatment modalities, including microabrasion, bleaching, resin infiltration, and remineralizing agents, have been proposed, but their comparative effectiveness remains unclear. This systematic review aims to evaluate and compare the available aesthetic treatment options for hypomineralized incisors in children and adolescents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE via PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and ScienceDirect for studies published between 2013 and 2023. The review included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomized clinical studies, and in vitro studies published in English, focusing on aesthetic treatments for MIH-incisor opacities in pediatric patients (≤ 18 years old). Studies were screened and evaluated independently by two reviewers following PRISMA guidelines. Risk of bias was assessed using ROB 2 for RCTs, ROBINS-I for non-randomized studies, and the QUIN tool for quality evaluation of included studies.

RESULTS

From 1381 identified studies, 12 met the inclusion criteria (four RCTs, six non-RCTs, and two in vitro studies). Seven studies investigated resin infiltration, while five focused on microabrasion, either alone or combined with remineralizing agents. Evidence suggests that microabrasion is effective for superficial lesions, particularly when combined with casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) or fluoride-enriched remineralizing agents. Resin infiltration provides immediate and lasting aesthetic improvement, particularly for deeper opacities, with enhanced results when preceded by optimized etching protocols. Some studies suggest sodium hypochlorite pre-treatment enhances resin infiltration outcomes, though further validation is required.

CONCLUSIONS

Both microabrasion and resin infiltration show effectiveness depending on lesion characteristics. Current evidence supports the use of microabrasion, especially when combined with remineralizing agents, for mild or superficial lesions. Resin infiltration demonstrates promising results for deeper lesions; however, given that only two of the four RCTs included patients with mild MIH, the certainty of this evidence remains moderate. Treatment selection should therefore be guided by lesion depth, clinical presentation, and patient-specific factors. Further well-designed, long-term clinical trials are needed to establish standardized protocols and strengthen the evidence base for both interventions.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Treatment choice in managing MIH-affected incisors should be tailored to lesion depth, with microabrasion and remineralizing agents suitable for superficial defects and resin infiltration providing superior outcomes for deeper opacities.