A decreased amount of enamel mineralization. Hypomineralized enamel has a brown discoloration and brittle aspect.
Comment:
Enamel hypomineralization can be caused by genetic or environmental factors. It may occur in both deciduous and permanent dentitions, although more often in the permanent dentition. It may concern a single tooth, several teeth, or the complete dentition and may affect part or the complete surface of the tooth. Enamel hypomineralization is a qualitative defect of enamel, in which the enamel can be rough and softer. Affected teeth may be sensitive. Enamel hypomineralization can be part of molar incisor hypomineralization (hypomineralisation of systemic origin of one to four permanent first molars, frequently associated with affected incisors) and of hypomineralized second primary molars (or deciduous molar hypomineralisation, which indicates idiopathic hypomineralization of one to four second deciduous molars).