White Spot Lesions

If your teeth are discolored, Elite Dental Arts in Midtown is the place to go for solutions. Lots of things can cause teeth be stained a dark color, which is undesirable, but not necessarily harmful. However, white spots on the teeth are an early sign of decay and require attention for the sake of the patient’s health.

Tooth decay is the result of enamel being eroded by the acid produced by bacteria. When enamel is being affected by acid, it first takes on a glazed, white appearance. This can also be seen on the upper back molars of people who suffer from frequent acid reflux. When the demineralization of enamel is caused by an infection, it is usually seen in the places that are the hardest to brush. Those include the parts of the crowns bordering the gum line, the sides of the teeth, and the areas surrounding orthodontic brackets.

White spot lesions can form in less than a month and are a warning sign that the patient needs to brush more thoroughly. Infections will lead to worse decay with time. Once the infection has been stopped, the teeth may undergo remineralization therapy or be given new veneers. The Invisalign orthodontic devices we offer are an alternative to fixed braces that allow patients to brush normally and avoid increasing the risk of white spot development.

To learn more about Invisalign and all the services we provide at our practice, visit Elite Dental Arts for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Nick Mobilia of Elite Dental Arts here in New York, NY, call our office at 212-681-0939. 

Nick M. Mobilia, DDS
ELITE DENTAL ARTS
9 East 45th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10017

 

Types of Stains

Fixing tooth discoloration is our specialty at Elite Dental Arts in Midtown, but depending on what type of stain a tooth has, the treatment will be different. Extrinsic stains and age-discoloration are the types of cosmetic problems people probably most associate with cosmetic dentistry, but there are also intrinsic stains, which may require a different approach.

Bleaching is used on extrinsic stains. These are the kinds which affect the surface of the teeth and are due to dark liquids and smoke. Intrinsic stains are those which affect a tooth’s pulp, which can be too deep for bleaching to affect. An intrinsic stain may be concealed with veneers, and if it was caused by the tooth being exposed to tetracycline antibiotics or excessive fluoride during its formation, this may be the best solution. But it may also be caused by infection or trauma of the pulp. If that is the case, the patient will need to have the pulp removed, because a dental infection is much more dangerous than a simple cosmetic problem. After undergoing a successful root canal, the patient and Dr. Mobilia can discuss further options for concealing or replacing the tooth’s crown.

Nick M. Mobilia, DDS
ELITE DENTAL ARTS
9 East 45th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10017                                                                                           (212)681-0939