Developmental defects of enamel and dental caries in the primary dentition: A systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Journal of dentistry 2017-05, Vol.60, p.1-7
• Main Authors: Costa, Francine S, Silveira, Ethieli R, Pinto, Gabriela S, Nascimento, Gustavo G, Thomson, William Murray, Demarco, Flávio F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Child; Children; Deciduous teeth; Defects; Dental Care; Dental caries; Dental Caries - etiology; Dental enamel; Dental Enamel - abnormalities; Dental Enamel Hypoplasia; Dentistry; Dentition; Developmental defects of enamel; Epidemiology; Estimates; Fluoridation; Heterogeneity; Humans; Hypoplasia; Meta-analysis; Oral hygiene; Pediatric Dentistry; Primary dentition; Quality; Regression analysis; Reviews; Searching; Sensitivity analysis; Studies; Teeth; Tooth, Deciduous
• ISSN: 0300-5712; 1879-176X; 1879-176X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2017.03.006

Abstract Objectives This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between developmental defects of enamel and dental caries in the primary dentition. Sources Electronic searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Scopus and Scielo for the identification of relevant studies. Study selection Observational studies that examined the association between developmental defects of enamel and dental caries in the deciduous dentition were included. Additionally, meta-analysis, funnel plots and sensitivity analysis were employed to synthesize the available evidence. Multivariable meta-regression analysis was performed to explore heterogeneity among studies. Data A total of 318 articles were identified in the electronic searches. Of those, 16 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled estimates revealed that children with developmental defects of enamel had higher odds of having dental caries (OR 3.32; 95%CI 2.41-4.57), with high heterogeneity between studies (I2 80%). Methodological characteristic of the studies, such as where it was conducted, the examined teeth and the quality of the study explained about 30% of the variability. Concerning type of defect, children with hypoplasia and diffuse opacities had higher odds of having dental caries (OR 4.28; 95%CI 2.24-8.15; OR1.42; 95%CI 1.15-1.76, respectively). Conclusions This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates a clear association between developmental defects of enamel and dental caries in the primary dentition.