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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Increased public access to fluoride has decreased the prevalence of caries and increased the prevalence of fluorosis staining. This article provides a case report involving a conservative method of removing fluorosis stain, as well as describes an in vitro test of the method.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A healthy man sought treatment at New York University College of Dentistry for removal of severe, dark brown fluorosis staining on his anterior teeth. To remove the stain, the treating clinician used a microabrasive material, which leaves enamel intact, instead of a tooth-whitening agent, which requires removal of all affected enamel.

METHODS: To demonstrate that enamel structure is not disturbed by the microabrasive material, the authors performed a study using scanning electron microscopy, or SEM. They viewed enamel structure under SEM at x1,000 magnification. They viewed untreated microabraded enamel and compared it with enamel that had been treated for 20 seconds with 37 percent phosphoric acid.

RESULTS: An etch pattern was not discernible on the tooth treated with the microabrasive material. The enamel prisms remained intact and the cores were not exposed.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Microabrasion removes intrinsic fluorosis stain effectively while protecting enamel. In this case, an enamel shade of brown not in the range of any tooth color shade guide was reduced.