I have enamel hypoplasia and I’m tired of people judging me off of my smile. I can’t change people, so I’m going to do the best I can to fix this. Is there a standard fix for it?
Andy
Dear Andy,
It’s true that people often judge us by our smiles. It’s sometimes unfair because there are some conditions people just can’t help. The good news is there is a great treatment option for you.
For those who are unaware of what enamel hypoplasia is, I’ll explain. It is a defect in the tooth enamel where it does not fully form. Sometimes this is the result of a genetic defect and other times, it is because of illness during tooth formation.
The treatment depends on the type of hypoplasia you are dealing with. When it comes to mild hypoplasia, the easiest solution would be to have dental bonding done. This is where the dentist will use microabrasion to remove the affected area and fill it in with a composite bonding material. If all you want to do is fix the hypoplasia, this is the route I’d go.
If, however, you have severe hypoplasia or you want to do a complete smile makeover then I would suggest you have porcelain veneers placed.
These tiny wafers of porcelain can not only cover the damage to your teeth but can also completely remake your smile, including the shape, size, and color. This is what people sometimes call the Hollywood smile makeover because so many celebrities get it to improve their smile.
While more expensive than the bonding, it last many more years. Both of the procedures need to be done by a cosmetic dentist who has experience and artistry. I would look at their smile gallery to see what type of results they provide. If a dentist does not have a smile gallery that means they do not do enough cosmetic dentistry to produce beautiful results. I would move on and look for someone else.
This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.