The Impact of Developmental Enamel Defects on Quality of Life and Psychosocial Aspects in Minor Patients With Mih, Amelogenesis Imperfecta, and Dental Fluorosis

Developmental enamel defects (DEDs) constitute a clinically significant group of conditions with multifactorial etiology. Beyond their structural and functional consequences — including dentinal hypersensitivity, increased susceptibility to caries, and mechanical fragility — developmental enamel defects significantly reduce oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in the pediatric population. The aim of this literature review was to characterize three distinct developmental enamel defects — molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH), dental fluorosis, and amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) — and to evaluate their impact on OHRQoL in minor patients. Between March and May 2026, the PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched, with inclusion limited to English-language publications. All three conditions were associated with reduced OHRQoL through aesthetic compromise, diminished self-esteem, and social avoidance. In MIH, patients face difficulties achieving effective anesthesia and demonstrate a pronounced tendency toward carious lesions. Fluorosis negatively affects self-perception among those affected. AI is associated with psychological distress and social withdrawal. Prosthetic rehabilitation and aesthetic treatment improve OHRQoL in patients with developmental enamel defects. Aesthetic dental treatment in this group should be regarded as a preventive intervention against depression and social exclusion, rather than merely a cosmetic procedure.