AIM: The aim of the study was a narrative review of scientific literature about enamel defects such dental hypoplasia and pre-eruptive hypomineralisation. A preview detailed description about enamel formation during its secretion and maturation stages was conducted.
METHODS: Databases such PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ResearchGate and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were used for the papers research used for that narrative review.
CONCLUSION: Enamel pre-eruptive defects are not similar each to the others and have a different biological formation mechanism during the secretion or maturation stage of enamel that occurs during the first months of life. These defects are different not only in the formation process but also in clinical appearance, clinical treatment and prognosis. Not fully clear are the aetiology factors and pathogenesis mechanism at the base of pre-eruptive enamel defects. Some validated hypothesis has a scientific and rationale support to explain the enamel pre-eruptive defect.
