Most people would pay little attention to spots on teeth. Although brown spots get some people to seek a cosmetic dentist’s intervention, very few think that white spots on teeth are a cause of alarm. Teeth should, after all, be white, and the spots are mostly invisible, so they cause little cosmetic concern. However, white dental spots are not normal, and they point to deep-seated dental problems that should be treated.
The spots seen in a clinic specializing in cosmetic dentistry in South Jordan are primarily associated with dental fluorosis and enamel hypoplasia. They also sometimes follow prolonged use of braces and consumption of over-acidic and sugary food. The following are some of the options for managing white spots on teeth after the treatment of their underlying cause:
Enamel Microabrasion
In this option, the dentist will remove a small enamel layer from your teeth’s top surface. The dentist will reduce the visibility of the spots on your teeth. In most cases, enamel microabrasion will be followed by professional whitening. This is meant to make your teeth have a uniform color. Microabrasion is unfortunately rough and might damage the protection of your teeth’s inner components, so it is not routinely used.
Resin Infiltration Systems
These work through the infiltration of the dental pores of the affected tooth. A special gel is first applied on the white spot, which opens up the pores. This promotes a deep permeation of the resin used for the treatment of white spots. After the application of the resin, it is cured using light. Other than getting rid of the white spots, the resin will also block the infiltration of acids and preserve your tooth’s inner layers from further decay. The whole process of using resin infiltration systems requires no anesthesia or drills and takes about fifteen minutes.
Topical Remineralization Therapy
This process fills the microscopic holes in your teeth which contribute to the chalky-white appearance of teeth with white spots. Topical remineralization therapy is used to manage white spots that are caused by fluoride deficiency. It has mostly replaced the use of systemic fluoride treatments of white spots. Systemic fluoride treatments ultimately lead to brown spots on teeth since they do not address the microscopic holes in them. The holes only get bigger.
Indirect Dental Restorations
These include composite resins, veneers, and crowns that are used to cover the white spots and improve the appearance of your teeth. Composite resins are used if your white spots are linked to enamel hypoplasia since they fill in the cavities and strengthen the teeth. Dental veneers and crowns are generally used for teeth with other issues such as cracks.
White spots are generally preventable with optimal dental hygiene. In children, you should ensure that they use only the right toothpaste quantity for their teeth. They should spit it out rather than swallow it. There are times when a pediatrician might recommend fluoride supplementation for children between six months and sixteen years. This is generally if they live in areas that do not have fluoridated water. If this is the case for your child, stick to the doctor’s recommended dosage of the supplements.