Traumatic dental injuries and molar incisor hypomineralization: a cross-sectional study of schoolchildren from southern Brazil

To describe the prevalence and the variables associated with TDIs in schoolchildren aged 8 to 14 years in Estância Velha city in southern Brazil, placing emphasis on molar incisor hypomineralization.

Students enrolled in public schools of a medium-sized city in the southern Brazil were selected using cluster random sampling. Clinical examinations assessed molar incisor hypomineralization-MIH (European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry criteria), dental caries (DMFT index), and TDIs (O’Brien’s criteria). Socioeconomic and demographic variables were assessed using a standardized questionnaire. Prevalence ratios were estimated using Poisson regression (p < 0.05).

513 students (54.8% female), with a mean age of 11.6 (± 1.9) years, participated in the study. The prevalence of TDIs was 11.3%, with enamel fracture representing 90.4%. The high prevalence of traumatic dental injuries was associated with MIH (PR: 2.22 CI: 1.27; 3.87; p < 0.01) and overjet > 3 mm (PR: 2.03 CI 1.19; 3.45; p < 0.01).

The sample of schoolchildren from southern Brazil had a low prevalence of traumatic dental injuries. Molar incisor hypomineralization and increased overjet were associated with the higher prevalence of traumatic dental injuries.