Pits in Tooth Enamel
Tooth enamel is the thin, outer layer of the tooth which happens to be the hardest tissue in the body! It protects your teeth from daily wear and tear from chewing, biting, speaking, and even grinding your teeth. It also insulates your teeth from becoming sensitive to hot and cold temperatures and even chemicals (like whitening). Even though the enamel is extremely strong, it is susceptible to chips, cracks, and erosion. Erosion can lead to enamel hypoplasia which may display as pits in the teeth.
Causes of Enamel Erosion
Erosion is a form of tooth wear that happens when acid eats away at the enamel on the teeth. There are a number of things that can lead to acid erosion including underlying medical conditions. Other factors may include:
* Foods and beverages with high acid content like juices and carbonated drinks
* High sugar and high carbohydrate diet
* Severe acid reflux
* Certain medications
* Dry mouth
* Bulimia
Signs of Enamel Hypoplasia
Irregularities in tooth enamel can lead to an increased risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease. Small cavities can quickly turn into severe tooth decay that requires more extensive treatment. Tooth enamel cannot repair itself so as soon as you notice signs that you may have enamel erosion, it is important to have it addressed and treated by your dentist as soon as possible.
Signs of enamel erosion may include:
* Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages
* Sensitivity to sugar
* Discoloration, either yellow or brown stains, or white spots
* Chips and cracks on the edges of the teeth
* Pitting
Treatment For Enamel Hypoplasia
For patients experiencing enamel loss, there are a few treatment options available. Your dentist will help determine the best course of action based on the severity of your enamel loss.
Enamel microabrasion can be utilized to smooth the surface of pitted teeth. It also removes staining and even white spots! Micro abrasion is done with a coarse paste that is applied directly to the surface of the teeth and then polished off. It works much like using a fine sandpaper on wood or a buffer on your nails.
Composite bonding is a great way to improve the appearance of enamel pitting and can help protect the teeth from further damage. Bonding is the same material that is used for a filling when you have a cavity but instead of being placed in a hole in the tooth, it is smoothed over the surface of the tooth and shaped and polished to give the appearance of a healthy natural tooth!
Dental crowns and veneers can also be used to restore more severe cases of pitting. Dental crowns are fabricated to cover the entire exposed portion of the tooth to the gum line. Veneers only cover the front of the tooth and are only used for anterior teeth.
If you have pitting in the enamel of your teeth, speak with your dentist as soon as possible to determine the best treatment path for you. Pitting will only get worse over time so it is important to take care of your teeth before more severe damage can occur.