One of the most frustrating common dental issues people can come across is that of intrinsic tooth discolouration. It’s not often possible to rectify this problem with laser or chemical tooth whitening, as the staining is on the inside of the tooth structure and not on the surface.
So, what is fluorosis and how can it be treated?
What Fluorosis Looks Like
Fluorosis usually appears in the form of white or brown patches or dots on the teeth. More severe variations of the condition may cause the surface of each tooth to develop small “pits”.
How Fluorosis Occurs
Fluorosis is a discolouration of the teeth, which occurs at a young age when fluoride is ingested into the body and the teeth are still forming. Fluoride can be found in various kinds of toothpaste and mouthwashes (that should not be swallowed) as well as some bottled or tap water and some foods.
How Can Fluorosis Be Treated?
As fluorosis occurs inside the tooth, it is usually extremely difficult – if not impossible – to remove it. However, there is one certain way of improving the appearance of teeth affected by fluorosis. This is to have veneers applied.
What are Veneers?
Veneers are delicate “shells”, usually made from an extremely thin but durable layer of porcelain. Veneers are crafted to encase the front surface of the teeth and are shaped and coloured to replicate the appearance of perfectly healthy, stainless versions of the originals. In order for veneers to be applied, a very small amount of enamel – usually no more than 0.3mm – must be removed from each tooth that is to be covered, just to ensure that the smile looks even. After this, strong dental cement is used to fix every carefully created veneer in place so that they look absolutely natural. By opting for veneers, unsightly fluorosis will be hidden, and only healthy and natural looking teeth will be seen.
Are Veneers Effective?
Before:
The teeth were visibly patchy before The Harley Street Smile Clinic provided any cosmetic dentistry treatment and one of the before treatment images show the teeth were also crooked and dull.
It is evident in one of the images that the teeth have been overly-exposed to fluoride, the teeth are prominently discoloured – in some cases, there are areas which are whiter than others. Also, the teeth are in poor condition; although the defect is considered to be permanent, the discolouration can be removed by The Harley Street Smile Clinic with ease with porcelain veneers.
After:
The teeth have been veneered by The Harley Street Smile Clinic and they are visibly brighter. In addition to this, the images were taken after treatment to highlight how the teeth are straighter than they were in the first place, offering a more even finish. Additionally, there is no discolouration visible in the photos taken after treatment for fluorosis by The Harley Street Smile Clinic – the shade of white is more consistent for all the teeth.
Want To Find Out More?
If you’re interested in finding out more about fluorosis, or you’d like to know how to go about having dental veneers applied, all you need to do is call the Harley Street Smile Clinic today on 020 7486 6777. One of our knowledgeable specialists will answer all of your questions and will gladly offer any advice you may need on any dental issues and explain the procedures we currently offer.