Evaluation of the effect of masking molar-incisor hypomineralization opacities in anterior teeth with two different minimally invasive approaches on the aesthetic perceptions of children and parents

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of masking incisor opacities caused by molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) using two different minimally invasive treatment approaches on the aesthetic perceptions of children and their parents and the color masking effectiveness of incisor opacities. Method: A total of 50 children, 8-10 years-old, presenting demarcated white-cream and/or yellow-brown opacities on their permanent incisors due to MIH were included in the study. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: one received resin infiltration (Group I: Icon®), while the other received etch-bleach-seal (Group II: EBS) minimally invasive treatment approach. The "Child's and Parent's Questionnaire about Teeth Appearance" was used to assess aesthetic perception, and the effectiveness of color masking was evaluated by spectrophotometric color analysis. Statistical significance was set as p<0.05. Results: Although there was no statistically significant difference in both groups at 3 months after the procedure, the improvements observed in the children and parents perspectives regarding the physical and psychological domains, as well as the increase in children's satisfaction regarding tooth pleasantness and tooth color perception in the second part of questionnaire (p<0.05) showed that the applied minimally invasive treatment approaches had a positive impact on aesthetic perceptions of children and parents. It was observed that the color change at the first month (ΔE1) following the minimally invasive treatment approach with resin infiltration applied to MIH opacities in Group I (Icon®) was statistically greater than the color change that occured after the etch-bleach-seal minimally invasive treatment approach applied in Group II (EBS). Conclusion: Although it was observed that the minimally invasive treatment approaches applied in both groups had a positive effect on the aesthetic perceptions of children and parents, full success was not achieved in masking MIH opacities. Combined treatment protocols should be evaluated depending on the depth and color of MIH opacities. Keywords: molar incisor hypomineralization, resin infiltration, etch-bleach-seal, minimally invasive treatment approach