Baltimore Dental . COM
*COSMETICS*
Enamel Microabrasion
Q: What is microabrasion?
A: In microabrasion, dentists carefully rub a compound on the teeth to remove superficial
stains and discoloration.
Q: Why are my teeth discolored?
A: A number of conditions can cause discoloration of permanent teeth. For example, trauma
to a baby tooth, an infection around a baby tooth, and high fevers or prolonged chronic
illnesses during childhood can cause discolorations. Fluoride can also cause some white or
brown discolorations of teeth when one receives a high dose over a period of time. Of
course, smoking, tea, and coffee are three big culprits.
Some teeth have a deeper, irreversible stain or discoloration, the result of trauma, root
canal therapy or medications such as tetracycline. These deep stains are not improved by
microabrasion.
Q: Will microabrasion work for me?
A: The success of microabrasion depends on a number of factors, especially the type and
extent of discoloration. So, it is difficult to predict when microabrasion will remove a
discoloration completely from a tooth. Dentists have learned that brown or dark stains are
removed readily in most cases. White discolorations are often improved; sometimes they are
totally eliminated. Other times, white discolorations are very persistent and not removed
completely with microabrasion.
Some teeth have a "speckled" appearance, showing a lot of white spots all over
the tooth. These teeth may be improved with microabrasion. By removing the bright white
spots, the teeth will have a slightly darker, but more even, natural color.
Q: What if microabrasion doesn't work?
A: Microabrasion is a safe, minimal treatment of discolored teeth. Attempting
microabrasion does not eliminate any of the alternatives for treatment. Other treatments
for discolored teeth are plastic or porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns. These options
are less affordable and more extensive than microabrasion because they require some tooth
preparation. So, it's wise to consider microabrasion as your first choice of treatment for
discolored teeth.
