Analytical evidence of enamel hypomineralisation on permanent and primary molars amongst past populations

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 7; no. 1; pp. 1712 - 10
• Main Authors: Garot, Elsa, Couture-Veschambre, Christine, Manton, David, Beauval, Cédric, Rouas, Patrick
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 10.05.2017; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 631/181/19/2471; 692/699; Adolescent; Child; Children; Cream; Dental enamel; Dental Enamel - diagnostic imaging; Dental Enamel - pathology; Enamel; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Hypoxia; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Incisor - pathology; Incisors; Mineralization; Minerals - metabolism; Molar - diagnostic imaging; Molar - pathology; Molars; multidisciplinary; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Teeth; Tooth Demineralization - diagnostic imaging; Tooth Demineralization - pathology; X-ray fluorescence; X-Ray Microtomography; France
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-01745-w

Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) and Hypomineralised Second Primary Molars (HSPM) involve prevalent qualitative structural developmental anomalies of tooth enamel affecting the first permanent molars (and often incisors) and the second primary molars, respectively. These demarcated hypomineralised lesions of enamel manifest as white-cream or yellow-brown opacities, with possible post-eruptive localised loss of enamel. Aetiological hypotheses have involved contemporary life factors (i.e. environmental pollutant exposure or early childhood medications) in contrast to factors not limited to a specific time period (i.e. hypoxia at birth or genetic predisposition). Evidence of MIH in ancient populations would reinforce aetiological factors present for many centuries. By means of microtomographic and X-ray fluorescence analyses the present study provides evidence that (i) two archaeological specimens: “S407” (Sains-en-Gohelle, France, 12 th –16 th centuries) and “B335” (Beauvais, France, 15 th –18 th centuries) were MIH-affected, and (ii) one individual “S323” was affected by HSPM and MIH (Sains-en-Gohelle, France, 7 th –11 th centuries).