Enamel hypomineralization

What it means

A decreased amount of enamel mineralization. Hypomineralized enamel has a brown discoloration and brittle aspect.

Enamel hypomineralization can be caused by genetic or environmental factors. It may occur in both deciduous and permanent dentitions, although more often in the permanent dentition. It may concern a single tooth, several teeth, or the complete dentition and may affect part or the complete surface of the tooth. Enamel hypomineralization is a qualitative defect of enamel, in which the enamel can be rough and softer. Affected teeth may be sensitive. Enamel hypomineralization can be part of molar incisor hypomineralization (hypomineralisation of systemic origin of one to four permanent first molars, frequently associated with affected incisors) and of hypomineralized second primary molars (or deciduous molar hypomineralisation, which indicates idiopathic hypomineralization of one to four second deciduous molars).

Rare diseases that can present with this4

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Decreased enamel mineralisation · Fluorosis of tooth enamel · Hypomineralization of enamel · Increased porosity of tooth enamel · Mottled tooth enamel · White spot lesions of tooth enamel