Elsevier

Dental Abstracts

Volume 59, Issue 5, September–October 2014, Pages 255-256
Dental Abstracts

Hands On
Microabrasion for dental fluorosis

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.denabs.2014.03.023Get rights and content

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Background

Opaque white areas or yellow to dark brown discolorations and porosities on the enamel surface are indicative of dental fluorosis. These stains are not only esthetically objectionable but they can have a psychological impact. The implementation of effective fluoride programs to prevent dental caries has made the problem more widespread and common. The concepts that shape fluorosis treatments are removal of the stained enamel, bleaching of the stained tooth, and/or covering the discolored area.

Methods

Fourteen patients (mean age 24 years) presented 154 fluorosed teeth that were divided into three groups based on the degree of staining. The mild fluorosis group (group I) consisted of 53 teeth, the moderate fluorosis group (group II) included 56 teeth, and the severe fluorosis group (group III) comprised 45 teeth. All teeth that were stained were treated, but the analysis focused on the maxillary and mandibular incisors and canines. Teeth were cleaned with pumice, then photographs were taken.

Results

Group I had the best score for “changes in opaque white areas” compared to the other two groups. Groups II and III had similar scores for “changes in brown stains” that were better than their scores regarding opaque white areas. Groups I and II had similar values for “improvement in appearance,” whereas group III had significantly lower scores for this measure.

When the groups were rated for patients' need for further treatment, groups I and II had higher proportions of patients who needed no

Discussion

Enamel microabrasion is the first course of attack in patients with fluorosis who desire the least invasive approach to their problem. This study indicates that the success of microabrasion is related to the severity of the fluorosis that is present. For moderate to severe fluorosis, enamel staining and opacities can penetrate into deeper enamel levels, making it difficult to remove the unattractive areas using just enamel microabrasion. Mildly fluorosed teeth can be expected to show greater

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Celik EU, Yildiz G, Yazkan B: Clinical evaluation of enamel microabrasion for the aesthetic management of mild-to-severe dental fluorosis. J Esthet Restor Dent 25:422-430, 2013

Reprints available from EU Celik, Dept of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Izmir Katip Celebi Univ, Cigli, Imir, Turkey; fax: 90-232-329-3999; e-mail: [email protected]

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