White Spots
Celebrities are known for their flawless, brilliant smiles. We all would prefer picture-perfect gleaming white teeth, but what about those white spots that appear on teeth? What are they and how did they get there? Are they a cause for concern?
What is Fluorosis?
Fluoride is beneficial to our health and can protect children’s teeth against cavities, but too much exposure can harm young teeth during formation. If you notice discoloration in your child’s teeth, it is important to bring your child to us at Hardin Advanced Dentistry for an evaluation.
Fluorosis is a cosmetic issue and does not reflect how well or poorly you care for your teeth. If you are not happy with the white spots on your teeth, or your child has developed white spots, there are several cosmetic treatments available to correct the problem.
What Causes White Spots?
If you’ve had irregular white spots on your teeth since you were a young child, it was likely the result of drinking water with high fluoride levels. Fluorosis can happen to those who grew up on well water or water with a high concentration of fluoride.
In the Cincinnati area, cases of fluorosis can range from very mild to more extreme. A mild case is typically barely visible, appearing as a faded white streak or a small white blemish. More severe cases of fluorosis can be noticeable as the discoloration will affect multiple teeth and may affect a larger area of the tooth. These white spots make a smile less attractive. At Hardin Advanced Dentistry, we offer several treatments to resolve white spots at our private cosmetic dental clinic in Mason, Ohio.
Treatments For Fluorosis
The most common treatments for fluorosis include:
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- Dental Bonding — This treatment involves removing a small quantity of the tooth’s enamel where there is discoloration and then covering the discolored area with bonding, which appears to be a natural tooth. Your existing tooth color can be easily matched for flawless results. Dental bonding is considered a safe and cost-effective way to treat unsightly white spots.
- Porcelain Veneers — Placing veneers involves removing a small part of the tooth structure so the porcelain veneer fits perfectly over the tooth and is comfortable.
- Teeth Whitening — Professional teeth whitening can offer good results for those with a mild case of fluorosis in Ohio. When teeth are professionally whitened at Hardin Advanced Dentistry, the fluorosis may appear even brighter immediately after bleaching. This is because the tooth has become dehydrated making it look whiter. As the teeth gradually rehydrate, the brightness of the fluorosis will be less noticeable, if at all.
- Microabrasion — Perhaps the most conservative of treatments, microabrasion is a minimally invasive way to remove white spots from your teeth. Check out the image below! Dr. Tara removed this patient’s old yellowed bonding from her front two teeth and gently polished the surface of all of her upper teeth, making for a whiter, more even smile. No new bonding needed!
Why Choose Hardin Advanced Dentistry?
When considering treatment for white spots in Ohio, Hardin Advanced Dentistry offers personalized care from a friendly, experienced staff in a comfortable, spa-like setting. When you are under the care of our cosmetic dentistry experts, you can be confident that white spots will be addressed and resolved correctly, for beautiful results. Contact us today.