Can molar incisor hypomineralisation lesions be ‚healed‘? A commentary

Molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) is a developmental condition affecting the first permanent molars and often the permanent incisors. Affected individuals (especialy those with severe lesions) may have poorer oral health (including increased risk of rapid carious lesion development, pain and hypersensitivity), a high treatment burden and decreased quality of life - but can MIH lesions be ‚re‘mineralised? Typical MIH lesions have variable mineral density with up to 50% mineral deficit. In the correct environment, remineralisation is possible. Fluoride is important for decreasing demineralisation and increasing remineralisation, but remineralisation is limited by the amount of bio-available calcium and phosphate available. Other topics discussed are the variability in clinical appearance and structural characteristics of the lesions, limitation of ion diffusion by the surface layer, management of caries risk and the somewhat slow process of enamel remineralisation.