Filling microporosities as opposed to simply sealing the surface potentially may improve the mechanical properties of enamel and so may also be capable of find protocol decreasing PEB and/or improving bonding and restorative outcomes[5]. As the resin predominantly remains within the confines of the enamel, there

is the potential to apply infiltrant material to surfaces not suitable for more conventional surface sealing: for example, cuspal inclines, which are at PEB and caries risk in MIH teeth but where traditional materials would interfere with occlusion or be broken by occlusal forces (see Fig. 2). Infiltration of a lesion prior to composite resin restoration may improve bonding by increasing surface hydrophobicity and the area of the resin–enamel interface; perhaps somewhat compensating for the poor etching patterns. A study using artificially demineralised bovine enamel found pre-treatment with infiltrant resin significantly increased the shear bond strength of a flowable composite resin[14]. Beyond this, if deep penetration of the infiltrant is possible, then loading strain could be transferred to the often

mechanically selleck screening library superior inner half of the enamel, thus reducing the likelihood of PEB and/or cohesive enamel fractures, currently the most common mode of bonding failure in MIH[15]. These benefits, however, remain speculative because although improved the hardness of infiltrated enamel did not reach normal values, and hardness is only one factor determining the ability of enamel to withstand functional forces. Even if predictable and comprehensive penetration of lesions can eventually be achieved, the realities of clinical practice may limit the applications of infiltrant resins in MIH. The technique requires excellent isolation be maintained and uses a relatively aggressive etchant which precludes or complicates its use where isolation cannot be achieved (e.g. partially erupted teeth) or when the teeth are already extremely sensitive. MIH-affected anterior teeth, however, typically do not present these same challenges in terms of adequate isolation and sensitivity.

As the images in Fig. 1 demonstrate, infiltrant resin has been designed to restore the optical properties of hypomineralised enamel, that is, Abiraterone mw improve translucency[16]; thus, it could have potential as a minimally invasive approach for improving aesthetics. In summary, caries infiltrant materials can penetrate and increase the hardness of MIH-affected enamel, albeit erratically. Further investigation into MIH management applications would appear warranted; however, a significant amount of further research is required to determine the viability of MIH infiltration and whether identified theoretical benefits can be realised in the clinical setting. The authors declare no conflict of interest. Why the paper is important to paediatric dentists Caries infiltrant resin has some capacity to penetrate developmentally hypomineralised enamel.