GuREx-MIH Project: Impact of Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life, Dental Fear and Anxiety in Swedish Children - A Multicentre Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives This study aimed to analyse self-reported oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and dental fear and anxiety (DFA) in children after restorative treatment and extraction of first permanent molars (FPM) affected by severe Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH). The research question focused on whether these treatment modalities lead to different outcomes in terms of DFA and OHRQoL over time. Materials and Methods A multicentre randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 83 children, aged 6–9 years, who was diagnosed with severe MIH in FPMs. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either restorative treatment with resin composite or extraction. Blinding was not possible due to the visible differences between restorative treatment and extraction. Patient comfort, was assessed through oral OHRQoL and DFA, was assessed using the Swedish version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ _{11 − 14} ) for OHRQoL, and the Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) for DFA. Evaluations were carried out before treatment (T0) and at follow-up when participants were 11 years old (T1). Results Seventy-three patients completed the study, with 37 restorative, 36 extraction. OHRQoL scores improved overall, with a greater improvement in scores observed in the extraction group, although the difference between groups was not shown. Both groups showed reductions in DFA scores from T0 to T1, with no difference between treatment groups. Conclusions Restorative treatment and extraction of FPMs affected by MIH lead to similar impact in DFA and OHRQoL. Clinical Relevance: This study provides clinicians that both restorative and extraction treatments are comparable for managing severe MIH in children, considering patient comfort.