User:Matthew Ferguson 57/Fluorosis

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Matthew Ferguson 57/Fluorosis

Dental fluorosis is hypomineralization of tooth enamel caused by ingestion of excessive fluoride during enamel formation.[1] It appears as intrinsic tooth discoloration. In the mildest form, there are faint white lines. Slightly more severe cases appear as white mottled patches, while severe fluorosis is characterized by brown discoloration and brittle enamel.

Barring the most severe cases, teeth with fluorosis are relatively resistant to

dental caries (tooth decay),[2] although they may be of potential cosmetic concern.[2]

Signs and symptoms

Severe fluorosis: mottled enamel of an individual from a region with high levels of naturally occurring fluoride

History

Henry Trendley Dean helped to identify a causal link between high concentrations of fluoride in the drinking water and mottled enamel.[3] He also produced a classification system for dental fluorosis that is still used in modern times, Dean's Index.[3] As research continued, the protective effect of fluoride against dental decay was demonstrated.[3]

Management

Dental fluorosis may or may not be of cosmetic concern. In some cases there may be negative psychosocial effects. The treatment options, from conservative to more destructive of tooth tissue:

References

  1. PMID 20091645
    .
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-1-4557-7052-6. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help
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  3. ^
    ISBN 978-1-4443-0928-7
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