Removal of discolorations after braces - Dr. Fred Peck

In my previous post this week, I discussed prevention of discolored teeth after braces. What do you do if you or your child has not done a good job of cleaning the teeth while the braces are on? Orthodontists have to deal with ensuring proper hygiene is maintain while the patient is under treatment, and at times it is a struggle. Many conservative options exist to remove these brown and white spots on the teeth. One option is microabrasion. The tooth is deeply polished with special solutions to remove microscopic layers that contain the discoloration. A second option is a series of re mineralization products to allow the tooth to return to a normal color. This process takes several weeks with both in office and at home treatments. Often combined with these procedures is some type of whitening. Many whitening products exist and their usage is best determined by the dentist after an evaluation of the color. More aggressive options involve direct resin bonding to cover the discolored areas. These will have to be replaced at times and each filling could become larger involving more tooth structure. It is best to prevent the situation from ever occurring or else it is a lifetime of dental cosmetic issues.