An new concept for removal of dental fluorosis stains

Bleaching has been suggested by several authors in order to treat the unaesthetic aspect of dental fluorosis. Many results are, however, unsatisfactory. A different method, based on the structural characteristics of the fluorotic tooth and the organic and exogenous nature of fluorotic enamel stains, includes three principal stages: 1--enamel etching with 12% HCl in order to eliminate the posteruptive calcified layer that covers the fluorotic enamel surface and to denude the microcavities containing the organic elements; 2--application of pure manufactured sodium hypochlorite to remove these organic stains; and 3--filling the chemically opened microcavities with a light-cured dental adhesive to provide the tooth with a smooth and even surface and to prevent restaining. To improve the aesthetic aspect of intensely discolored teeth, it is possible to use a variety of tints available in several composite resin kits. Teeth with a rough enamel surface react more positively than ones with a smooth surface. The enamel adhesives provide better results than the amelo-dentinal ones.