Dental Fluorosis: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Fluorosis is a condition wherein the teeth get overexposed to fluoride during the early years of teeth development. The tooth enamel becomes white patchy due to fluorosis. Fluorosis can range from very mild to moderate to severe. Mild fluorosis is characterised by small white opaque patches on the teeth. In the mild form of the disease the patches cover 25% of the tooth. In the moderate form of dental fluorosis, half of the tooth is covered by mottled patches. In the moderate form, the teeth even look slightly brown and disfigured. Severe dental fluorosis causes teeth to turn completely brown, pitted, disfigured and gives an unsightly corroded look. People who develop dental fluorosis normally do not get dental caries or bacterial decay. Fluorosis is caused by mouth washes and toothpastes that have high concentrations of fluoride in them. Fluorosis may also occur due to high levels of fluorine in water in some regions. In such cases children must be given drinking water from other sources that do not have such high levels of fluorine in it. Treatment for fluorosis may not be required if the condition is not very severe and does not seem very unsightly. Only moderate to severe dental fluorosis may require treatment which includes several techniques like tooth whitening, veneers, crowns or bonding.

Mild cases of fluorosis may not require any treatment and can be managed at home. Moderate to severe cases of dental fluorosis requires treatment. Treatment will be required when fluorosis caused lesions on the teeth appears quite unsightly and objectionable. Treatment options may be bonding or dental filling which restores the condition of the teeth. In dental bonding a special resin of the colour of the tooth is applied on the affected tooth. For carrying out this procedure anesthesia is not requited as it involves resin application only on the tooth surface. The tooth is first made rough and then conditioned with a liquid before applying the tooth coloured resin on the tooth surface. After applying the resin, the tooth is given a proper shape. After this with the help of UV light the resin is hardened on the tooth and then the tooth is polished to match the lustre of the other teeth. Veneers are thin sheets of porcelain that are stuck on the teeth surface with the help of a cement to give the teeth the natural look. Dental crowns are used in cases where the teeth have got severe conditions of fluorosis. Dental crowns are quite favourable for teeth that require to be strengthened.

People who suffer moderate to severe dental fluorosis are eligible for the treatment.

People with mild fluorosis do not require treatment.

Side effects of dental fluorosis treatment are not very serious and may cause a little numbness, slight pain and tingling.

Post treatment guidelines for dental fluorosis treatment are avoiding acidic foods or drinks, wine, smoking, too hot or too cold foods and maintaining proper dental hygiene like brushing and flossing teeth and not brushing too harsh.

The procedure of dental fluorosis treatment may take a few hours to a few weeks to completely recover from the conditions.

Price of dental fluorosis treatment in India may range from Rs. 500 to Rs. 10,000.

No, the results are not permanent. The filling or veneers have a life and may come out of the teeth after a few years. On coming out it will require carrying out the procedure again.

Alternative to the treatment is simply prevention of fluorosis.