4 Effective Treatments for Enamel Hypoplasia: Symptoms & Causes
Do you know what the hardest substance produced by the human body is?
It’s tooth enamel, the outer protective covering of teeth. This is even stronger than the bones in the human body.
The primary function of the tooth enamel is to protect the tooth surface from outside damage by coating your tooth crown. However, sometimes, the tooth enamel may not develop properly, leading to oral health problems such as enamel hypoplasia.
Enamel hypoplasia is a dental condition that appears as patches on teeth. Untreated enamel problems can lead to potential oral health problems.
For this reason, it is crucial to be mindful of any signs of poor oral health your child is exhibiting. Schedule your appointment with top dentists through Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics.
What is Enamel Hypoplasia?
Enamel hypoplasia is a tooth enamel defect that affects the crown surface of the teeth. The problem occurs because of the improper formation of enamel, which leads to potential issues.
The improper secretion of enamel can result in cracks, pits, and missing parts of tooth enamel. An enamel thinner than usual will fail to perform its routine protection, increasing your risk of developing oral health problems.
The condition may affect temporary or permanent teeth. Also, hypoplasia might appear on a single tooth or affect multiple teeth.
Symptoms of Enamel Hypoplasia
If the enamel formation doesn’t occur properly, then the following are the obvious signs and symptoms of the problem:
Other than these symptoms of disease, there are other complications associated with this condition, such as:
Suggested Read: 6 Reasons Why Your Tooth Extraction Hurts After 7 Days
Causes of Enamel Hypoplasia
Enamel hypoplasia occurs when there is a problem in the formation of tooth enamel. To understand how it happens, we first must understand the enamel formation process.
The process of enamel formation is known as amelogenesis. Amelogenesis is further divided into five steps, including:
In the case of hypoplasia, problems occur during the secretory or formation stage. In the formation stage, the cells secrete the enamel matrix substrate. These problems during this phase can result in the occurrence of hypoplasia.
The problem during formation may be either genetic or because of environmental influence.
Genetic Causes
Some patients have an increased risk for improper enamel development because of their genes.
The heredity hypoplasia passes through the generations and may affect all the enamel on your teeth. Genetic changes can alter the instructions for properly forming tooth enamel, leading to the condition.
Enamel hypoplasia can also be due to genetic syndromes, such as:
Environmental Causes
Sometimes, the hypoplasia can be due to other reasons as well. Other than the genetics, the following factors are known to impact the normal enamel synthesis:
4 Treatment Options for Hypoplasia
Based on the severity of the condition, there are various treatment options for hypoplasia. These include:
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are more like a tooth shield that prevents your teeth from acid exposure. Also, it protects your teeth from bacterial attachments and limits your chances of developing oral cavities.
Sealant is a thin, BPA-free plastic coating applied to the teeth’ surface. After its application, the dentist hardens the material to create a solid shield around your tooth surface.
Dental Filling
If dental hypoplasia appears as a hold on the teeth surface, then your dentist may recommend you to get a dental filling. Dental filling fills the spaces on teeth created by dental problems such as hypoplasia.
Dental fillings are made up of different materials. These materials fill the damaged part of tooth enamel and prevent further damage.
Suggested Read: Tooth-Coloured Fillings Guide for Aesthetic Restoration
Remineralization
This is one of the most common treatment options against enamel hypoplasia. The dentist uses minerals to strengthen the tooth enamel and create a strong shield that protects teeth against damage.
Crowns
In the case of severe enamel hypoplasia, your dentist may recommend you wear a tooth crown, a tooth-shaped cap placed on the tooth surface.
This helps regain the standard shape and function of regular teeth and prevents further damage. This treatment option is feasible for both children and adult teeth.
The choice of a suitable treatment method depends on the condition’s severity and the damage’s extent. Also, the position and type of teeth help the dentist determine which treatment plan suits you.
Suggested Read: The Benefits of a White Porcelain Dental Crown for Children
Bottom Line
Enamel hypoplasia refers to having thin enamel as an out-protecting surface of teeth. The problem occurs when there is improper formation of a healthy enamel.
The absence of healthy enamel can affect your oral health by increasing your risk of exposure to bacteria and food acids. A damaged enamel appears as colored spots on the dental surface.
The condition may or may not affect single or multiple teeth. It can also affect both premature and permanent teeth.
Knowing about the symptoms of the problems can help you with the early identification of the problem. Also, consulting your dentist earlier can prevent complications and help you get treatment promptly.
