I had braces for 18 months, and when my orthodontist took them off, I had white spots on several teeth. Whitening toothpaste didn’t help. So, at my last exam and cleaning, my dentist recommended Zoom. After Zoom treatment, my teeth are super white, but the white pots look brighter. My tooth color is uneven now and looks worse to me. My dentist said she would think of something else to try, but it scares me that she thought Zoom would work, but it did not. What are my options? Max from Virginia
Max,
Thank you for your question. Without advanced cosmetic dentistry training, a general dentist may not understand how to correct white spots on teeth and achieve even tooth color.
Will Teeth Whitening Improve White Spots?
Teeth whitening effectively removes stains embedded in teeth and makes your natural teeth whiter. But it usually makes white spots worse because it will not change the white areas but can make them more noticeable.
How Can You Treat White Spots on Teeth?
The treatment for white spots on teeth depends on their appearance and cause. If you have white spots after braces, decalcification around the brackets usually causes it. These factors cause decalcification:
- Lack of oral hygiene around braces
- Plaque buildup robs the teeth of calcium
- Lack of calcium leaves white spots
Treatment options
Treatment options for white spots on teeth after races include remineralization, microabrasion, or dental bonding.
- Remineralization – Fluoride treatments from your dentist and a calcium-rich diet may mineralize teeth over time. Also, remineralizing gels can help.
- Microabrasion – During this process, a dentist will remove discolored tooth enamel and apply an abrasive substance to your teeth. Afterward, the dentist will clean, rinse, and polish your teeth.
- Dental bonding – After removing the decalcified enamel, a cosmetic dentist can apply dental bonding to fill in spaces. Cosmetic dentists understand how to blend dental bonding to mimic the color and gloss of natural teeth.
We recommend scheduling an appointment with a dentist who has advanced cosmetic dentistry training to discuss your options. Your cosmetic dentist will ensure the bonding matches your newly whitened teeth.
Dr. Ryan Perry, a Baton Rouge family dentist, sponsors this post.