Bumpy Teeth Since Childhood? It's Not Your Fault.
Most people have smooth but porous teeth. However, some people have noticeable pits and bumps on the surface of their teeth. If your teeth are like this and have been for as long as you can remember, it's understandable if you're not happy about it. The good news is, this condition isn't your fault, and there is a fix for it. Read on to learn about both of these things.
How You Got This Way
Bumpy teeth don't get that way on their own. This is actually a condition called fluorosis.
Most people develop fluorosis when they're children. As the name indicates, it's closely tied to fluoride, the product that's added to drinking water and toothpaste in order to help keep teeth strong.
Under normal circumstances, fluoride does just that. However, if you consume too much of it as a child, you can develop fluorosis. Essentially, the excess of fluoride causes the structure of your adult teeth to change while they're still developing. As a result, from the moment those adult teeth move in, they look bumpy or pitted.
Getting the Fix
Unfortunately, there's no way to reverse fluorosis, but that doesn't mean that you have to put up with your teeth looking that way. Instead, you can talk to a cosmetic dentist about getting veneers.
Dental veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are designed to cover only the front of your teeth. Think of them as like a one-walled dental crown. Veneers are designed to give the appearance of a perfectly shaped, sized, and colored tooth. You can custom-order everything about them, including the shade of white that you want. But most importantly, veneers completely cover up the appearance of fluorosis.
What to Expect
Getting veneers is a very simple process. You'll go to the dentist's office a few times, but otherwise, it's as easy as can be.
The first visit will be for a discussion and examination. This is when the two of you will discuss your fluorosis and determine if you're a good candidate for dental veneers. If you are, you'll continue on to the next steps.
The second step is taking measurements of your real teeth as well as dental x-rays. Your dentist will use this information to order the custom veneers for your teeth.
On your third visit, you'll come back in once the veneers have been delivered to have them put on. They're applied with dental cement, don't require anesthesia, and you can go back to your daily life the same day that they're put in place.
For more information about veneers and other cosmetic dentistry, contact a clinic like Picone Dental - Vincent J Picone DDS.
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