INTUBATION AND MINERALIZATION DISTURBANCES IN THE ENAMEL OF PRIMARY TEETH

This study was undertaken to examine the effects of intubation on the enamel development of primary teeth in children intubated during the f irst 3 months of life. The teeth of 35 children were examined clinical ly for signs of defects. Dental enamel defects were seen in 26 (74%) p atients; enamel hypoplasia was seen in 15 and enamel hypomineralizatio n in 19 cases. In eight patients both enamel hypoplasia and hypominera lization were found. There was a preponderance of enamel defects in th e right maxilla, which supports the hypothesis that an early trauma to mineralizing primary teeth caused by laryngoscope may lead to dental enamel hypoplasia.