Flourosis Staining of the Teeth and What You Can do About it

Flourosis, an overexposure to fluoride during childhood, is a common cause of discoloration and mineralization of adult teeth. This article discusses veneers as one method of masking the detrimental effects of flourosis.

Flourosis is a permanent staining of the teeth caused by overexposure to fluoride during the time that the teeth are forming. Too much fluoride damages enamel-forming cells which results in a mottled look to the teeth in mild cases and vast brown, yellow or gray discolorations, pitting, and mineralized plaques in the most serious cases. The damage, unfortunately, is irreversible.

The first studies of flourosis were done in the 1930s and 40s (before fluoride was added to drinking water as a commonality). It was estimated at that time that up to 12% of the population suffered from the disease. Flouride is found naturally in water and just about everything that we eat. By the mid 1980s, it was estimated that up to a quarter of the population suffered staining, from mild to severe, of the teeth due to overexposure to fluoride. Because fluoride tablets are still routinely prescribed for children as an anti-cavity agent in some areas of the country, it is believed that the numbers today are considerably higher.

What can be done about flourosis?

There are two types of veneer treatments that work well for people who have flourosis; resin-based composite bonding and ceramic veneers. There is no need to visit an expensive cosmetic specialist for such treatment. Your general dentist can help you decide which method will work best for your condition.

An answer for mild flourosis; variations in coloring and mottled white patches.

If your teeth are only mildly stained or have pits of discoloration, composite veneers might be the answer you are looking for. This treatment can be accomplished in a single visit to the dentist’s office. Most patients will choose to have only the front six teeth treated, those that are most often exposed while smiling or talking. The dentist will roughen the front surface of each tooth to be treated and prepare it for bonding with an acidic solution commonly used for dental treatments. The composite will then be molded into place and shaped to fit. When the process is complete, a special light will harden the composite and your teeth. The discolorations and pits are now masked with a material that should look natural with your coloring.

Composite bonding is affordable, as well. Depending on your area, you can expect the price per tooth to start in the range of $250-500 per tooth. This is a small price to pay according to those who have spent years suffering from flourosis.

When flourosis is severe; brown and yellow deposits and uneven surfaces.

In the worst cases of flourosis, the teeth are streaked with discoloration and even misshapen due to mineralization and pitting. These are the people who really suffer from peer torment and have likely learned, by adulthood, to avoid smiling at all. Thankfully, ceramic veneers offer an alternative to the continual tight-lipped look.

Ceramic veneers are a two-step process that can be performed by your local dentist. In the first visit, your teeth will be prepared for a new front. It’s sort of like a contact lens for your teeth, only permanently adhered. The dentist will grind down any mineralized deposits and shape the teeth, if necessary, for veneer placement. He will make a mold of your mouth that is sent to a dental laboratory. There they will craft individual sheets of thin porcelain to cover each tooth that is being treated. Within one to two weeks, the dentist will have you back in his chair for veneer bonding.

Ceramic porcelain is a white glass substance that will mimic the look of healthy tooth enamel. The dentist will individually fit each veneer to a tooth, resulting in a smile of straight, white teeth. Ceramic veneers will cost a bit more than composite veneers, but are still considered well worth the expense by those who have spent a lifetime suffering from flourosis. The price varies widely depending on location, but from a general dentist you might expect ceramic veneers to start in the $500-1200 range.

Both composite and ceramic veneers are permanent solutions for masking flourosis staining. Each type can be expected to last upward of ten years with proper care.