Abstract

Introduction: Molar hypomineralisation (MH) is an enamel defect of systemic origin that affects one to four first permanent molars and sometimes permanent incisors are affected as well. In severe cases; MH may cause pain, post eruptive enamel breakdown and extensive caries. It is also difficult to treat because traditional restorations usually fail. Recently, the combined usage of resin- modified glass ionomer and orthodontic band has been proposed as an interim treatment to MH-affected molars with good results. However, the effectiveness of this restorative approach in differ- ent clinical situations needs to be verified. Case report: Nine-year-old girl was referred to the Dental School at University of Talca, Chile. After clinical check-up, she was diagnosed with high cariogenic risk and severe MH. The tooth 2.6 presented severe crown destruction with an infiltrated atypical restoration. Neither X-ray signs nor clinical symptoms of pulpal disease were observed. After preventive intervention (including dietary recommendations, toothbrush instruction and fluoride varnish application (22,500 ppm F), tooth 2.6 was restored using resin-modified glass ionomer and an orthodontic band, which was adapted and cemented with ionomer cement. At six-month follow up, the restoration was clinically intact (fracture-free glass ionomer), without pulpal or gingival pathology. Comments: The combined usage of resin-modified glass ionomer and orthodontic band seems to be effective in restoring this sev- ere MH affected molar at least after a 6-month follow-up as reported previously. However, a long-term follow-up is needed to evaluate the success of this interim restorative approach.