Use of a Glass Ionomer Sealant in Molar Incisor Hypomineralization

Use of a Glass Ionomer Sealant in First Permanent Molars Affected by Molar Incisor Hypomineralization

Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) is a worldwide widespread qualitative developmental defect of the dental enamel with a multifactorial aetiology defined in 2001 as an "hypomineralization of systemic origin affecting one or more permanent molars, usually first permanent molars (FPMs), with or without the involvement of one or more affected permanent incisors". Clinically MIH lesions appear as demarcated opacities with a creamy-white to yellow-brown colour depending on the severity of the defect that is classified as mild or severe (levels of severity) according to the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (EAPD) severity criteria. The distribution of the lesions is asymmetrical and their severity varies from a patient to another and also within the mouth of the same patient. Due to its porous structure with an altered prism organization and an increased content of proteins, the hypomineralized enamel has reduced mechanical properties and a lower refractive index if compared to the sound enamel. MIH is associated to a large number of objective and subjective problems as an altered aesthetics, an increased risk of plaque accumulation, caries, post-eruptive breakdown (PEB), reduced retention rates of adhesive materials, hypersensitivity and difficulty in anesthetizing the affected teeth making its management a challenging condition. Among preventive measures, pit-and-fissure sealants are a valuable and effective treatment to prevent occlusal caries in FPMs when they are still intact. However, since their efficacy is closely related to the sealant retention, they have to be monitored over time. When the molar to be sealed is fully erupted and isolation is adequate, resin-based sealants are indicated while if the moisture control is inadequate and/or the tooth is hypersensitive and patient is not sufficiently cooperative, low-viscous glass ionomer cements (GICs) are suggested as a temporary measure until the eruption is completed and both symptoms and cooperation are improved. To date, the scientific knowledge regarding the use of different type of sealants in MIH affected molars is insufficient to draw exhaustive conclusions and further studies are needed to deepen the knowledge on this topic. The aim of this study is to assess, by clinical examination, the survival rate of a glass ionomer sealant in MIH affected FPMs at 12 months of follow-up.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Molar Incisor Hypomineralization

Detailed Description

Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) is a worldwide widespread qualitative developmental defect of the dental enamel with a multifactorial aetiology defined in 2001 as an "hypomineralization of systemic origin affecting one or more permanent molars, usually first permanent molars (FPMs), with or without the involvement of one or more affected permanent incisors". Clinically MIH lesions appear as demarcated opacities with a creamy-white to yellow-brown colour depending on the severity of the defect that is classified as mild or severe (levels of severity) according to the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (EAPD) severity criteria. The distribution of the lesions is asymmetrical and their severity varies from a patient to another and also within the mouth of the same patient. Due to its porous structure with an altered prism organization and an increased content of proteins, the hypomineralized enamel has reduced mechanical properties and a lower refractive index if compared to the sound enamel. MIH is associated to a large number of objective and subjective problems as an altered aesthetics, an increased risk of plaque accumulation, caries, post-eruptive breakdown (PEB), reduced retention rates of adhesive materials, hypersensitivity and difficulty in anesthetizing the affected teeth making its management a challenging condition.

Considering MIH histopathological features, while for incisors lesions are mainly an aesthetic issue, for molars they represent a real functional problem. Being FPMs subjected to higher masticatory loads than incisors and being located backward in the mouth, they have an increased risk of plaque accumulation, caries, PEB and are more difficult to be properly brushed especially if hypersensitive. An early diagnosis based on the EAPD judgement criteria and prevention are fundamental for acting with a minimally invasive therapeutic approach gaining the patient's cooperation and avoiding the most frequent related issues. Among preventive measures, pit-and-fissure sealants are a valuable and effective treatment to prevent occlusal caries in FPMs when they are still intact. However, since their efficacy is closely related to the sealant retention, they have to be monitored over time. When the molar to be sealed is fully erupted and isolation is adequate, resin-based sealants are indicated while if the moisture control is inadequate and/or the tooth is hypersensitive and patient is not sufficiently cooperative, low-viscous glass ionomer cements (GICs) are suggested as a temporary measure until the eruption is completed and both symptoms and cooperation are improved. About the use of resinous sealants in MIH molars, to date, literature data are limited and debated. About the use of glass ionomer (GI) sealants, several studies have been performed on sound molars but only a few on MIH molars. If the GI sealants' self-adhesive features, their high fluoride-release, hydrophilic properties and simple use are well known, their bond strength to the hypomineralized enamel and the survival rates on MIH molars are still controversial. To date, the scientific knowledge regarding the use of different type of sealants in MIH affected molars is insufficient to draw exhaustive conclusions and further studies are needed to deepen the knowledge on this topic. The aim of this study is to assess, by clinical examination, the survival rate of a glass ionomer sealant in MIH affected FPMs at 12 months of follow-up.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 15

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Milena Cadenaro, MD; Phone Number: +390403785111; Email: milena.cadenaro@burlo.trieste.it

Study Locations

• Italy
  • Trieste, Italy, 34137
    • Recruiting
    • IRCCS Burlo Garofolo
    • Contact: Milena Cadenaro, MD; Phone Number: +390403785; Email: milena.cadenaro@burlo.trieste.it

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 6 years to 10 years (Child)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: N/A

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Children aged between 6 and 10 years with erupted MIH affected FPMs presenting lesions on the occlusal surface

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. FPMs of children aged between 6 and 10 years;
2. Erupted MIH affected FPMs presenting lesions on the occlusal surface;
3. Good general health conditions;
4. Sufficient cooperative behaviour;
5. Signature of the informed consent to the study by patients' parents or by their legal guardians

Exclusion Criteria:

1. FPMs presenting fluorosis, amelogenesis imperfecta, white spots, or other enamel defects that are in differential diagnosis with MIH;
2. FPMs presenting the occlusal surface already sealed or restored;
3. FPMs presenting occlusal cavitated caries (ICDAS Pit and Fissures ≥ 3)
4. FPMs presenting severe PEB involving the dentin;
5. Children with orthodontic devices hiding FPMs.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Glass ionomer sealant survival rate	Percentage of satisfactory status sealant in FPMs affected by MIH	At 12-month follow up

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: IRCCS Burlo Garofolo
• Investigators: Study Director: Milena Cadenaro, MD, IRCCS Materno Infantile Burlo Garofolo

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 28, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 28, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): April 10, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 14, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 13, 2024
• Last Verified: June 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Prevention; Glass ionomer sealant; Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) Molars
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Congenital Abnormalities; Stomatognathic Diseases; Tooth Diseases; Stomatognathic System Abnormalities; Tooth Abnormalities; Dental Enamel Hypomineralization; Developmental Defects of Enamel; Dental Enamel Hypoplasia; Molar Hypomineralization
• Other Study ID Numbers: RC 50/22

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No