Because of the greater risk, misaligned teeth pose to people’s oral health, many have begun seeking out orthodontic treatment. However, even the healthiest dental treatments can often come with some complications if it isn’t maintained. For some, taking off their braces can result in the onset of white spot lesions, a form of discoloration that affects the integrity of your teeth. Luckily, many restorative and cosmetic dentists have begun addressing these issues by providing various treatments.
What You Should Know About White Spot Lesions
White spot lesions are white areas of discoloration that often appear along with the tooth’s enamel or first layer of the tooth’s structure. This form of discoloration is caused by enamel wear down or when the enamel layer breaks down over time due to the onset of foreign influences. Most often, it’s caused by orthodontic treatments such as braces, but it can also be caused by poor dental health due to sugars and acids, poor calcium intake from vitamin deficiencies, and even dental trauma causing internal damage to the tooth.
White spot lesions tend to be difficult to remove overall, but luckily there are many treatments that can be done to help strengthen the enamel and remineralize it back to health. Many restorative and cosmetic dentists have begun offering a selection of treatments that can address these white spot lesions more effectively. These include:
- Fluoride Remineralization Treatments: This treatment works to infuse the mineral fluoride into your enamel faster than brushing and flossing would. This treatment uses a thin varnish or gel and places it in a retainer that gets placed onto your teeth. For children, it’s a popular preventative method, and for adults, it helps reduce the sight of white spot veneers over time.
- In-Office Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening procedures may not be able to heal the lost enamel completely, but they can help remove the sight of white spot lesions. Teeth whitening procedures can help create a more aesthetically pleasing smile and can also be purchased over-the-counter as a temporary method.
- Composite Resin Bonding: For particularly stubborn white spot lesions, your dentist may opt for a composite resin solution that can help remove noticeable gaps in the enamel by providing a protective coating. This protective resin helps patch up the missing enamel areas and promotes better oral health by protecting the internal tooth structure.
- Microabrasion Treatment: The microabrasion treatment method attempts to remove a thin layer of enamel from the tooth’s surface to remove the appearance of white spot lesions. While this treatment removes more enamel, it only focuses on removing the damaged enamel to prevent the onset of bacteria from spreading. This procedure is often combined with others to achieve the desired results.
- Dental Veneers: if white spot lesions are particularly severe, your dentist may suggest dental veneers, which are thin layers of porcelain that can protect the enamel and hide the lesions. Veneers can also be used to address chips and other minor imperfections and provide a naturally beautiful smile for those who cannot afford more complex treatments.
Speak With Your Cosmetic Dentist Today!
If you’ve begun noticing the signs of white spot lesions, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your general dentist soon for treatment. White spot lesions leave behind vulnerable areas that can cause further risk of tooth decay, which can ultimately lead to tooth loss and periodontal disease if you are not careful. Make sure to schedule an appointment today with your dentist to learn about your options, and check out your local cosmetic dentist for further options for treatment.
