Abstract
Background and aims. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the prevalence and the position of
enamel defects of primary teeth and hence to estimate the approximate time of an insult.
Material and methods. 121 children aged 3 to 5 years were included in the study. The Modified Developmental Defects
of Enamel Index was used to diagnose and classify the defects. The defects were categorized as hypoplasia, hypocalcification
or a combination of them. Each tooth was investigated for occlusal/incisal, middle, cervical, incisomiddle, cervicomiddle
and complete crown defects.
Results. 55.37% of the children were affected by enamel defects, 23.96% being categorized as hypocalcification and
22.31% as hypoplasia. The enamel defects were more abundant in maxillary primary incisors and mandibular primary canines.
Minimum involvement was seen in maxillary primary second molars and mandibular primary lateral incisors. The
prevalence of cervical defects in maxillary primary incisors was significantly more than the middle or incisal defects (P <
0.05). The prevalence of incisal defects in mandibular primary incisors was significantly more than the middle or cervical
defects (P < 0.05).
Conclusions. The results revealed a considerable number of enamel defects which are multiple, symmetric and chronologically
accordant with the estimated neonatal line in primary teeth of healthy children.