My teeth are discolored from hypoplasia. I know that dental bonding is cheaper than porcelain veneers. I hope it’s an option for me. Can dental bonding work for hypoplasia? Thank you. Brittany from Santa Fe, NM
Britanny,
Before asking your dentist for a specific treatment type, ensure he or she has advanced cosmetic dentistry training. Ask your dentist about your experience with hypoplasia cases, too.
What Is Enamel Hypoplasia?
Enamel hypoplasia is a defect in tooth enamel caused by genetics or disease during tooth formation. The condition prevents the enamel from forming fully. Mild hypoplasia causes white spots on teeth. However, severe cases can cause thin, pitted tooth enamel, dentin exposure in some places, and spotted teeth.
What Is the Treatment for Hypoplasia?
Treatment for hypoplasia depends on its severity. Dental bonding can treat mild cases, but severe cases require porcelain veneers.
The photo below is of a patient’s teeth with severe enamel hypoplasia. You can see deep, brown horizontal striations (lines) in the front teeth. The enamel on the front teeth is thin. Adjacent teeth are less affected but have white spots and mild pitting. A severe case like this requires porcelain veneers for the affected teeth. However, when the backs of teeth (next to your tongue) have severe hypoplasia, a dentist may recommend dental crowns instead of porcelain veneers.
A mild hypoplasia affecting one tooth can be restored with direct composite bonding. After drilling out the surface of the white spot, a cosmetic dentist can fill the space with a high-gloss composite. The small spots on the other teeth can be left alone or treated with composite.
We recommend scheduling a consultation with an expert cosmetic dentist. Even for dental bonding, most general or family dentists lack the inventory of high-gloss, translucent composites to match the tooth and make the bonding look natural.
Beverly Hills accredited fellow of cosmetic dentistry Dr. Brian LeSage sponsors this post.