What Are White Spot Lesions?
When you look in the mirror, have you ever noticed faint, cloudy white spots on your front teeth? These are called “white spot lesions,” a condition in which part of the tooth surface appears white discoloration. There are several possible causes of white spot lesions. They can affect appearance and may also be a sign of early tooth decay.
Main Causes of White Spot Lesions
The causes of white spot lesions can generally be classified into the following three categories:
1. Tooth Decay
When minerals are lost from the tooth surface, a process called “demineralization” occurs. This lowers the density of the enamel, scatters light reflection, and makes the area appear white. This is a sign of early-stage tooth decay.
White spot lesions may also develop in patients who have worn orthodontic appliances. If the areas around the brackets are not cleaned thoroughly, demineralization of the tooth surface can occur, resulting in white spot lesions.
2. Enamel Hypoplasia
Enamel hypoplasia is a condition in which the enamel does not fully mature during tooth development and partially fails to form properly.
It is sometimes related to congenital factors, as well as high fever or nutritional conditions during infancy or early childhood.
3. Excessive Fluoride Intake (Fluorosis)
If excessive fluoride is taken during early childhood, white spot lesions may appear on the tooth surface. Since the fluoride level in tap water in Japan is considered too low to cause this condition, it is more commonly seen in individuals who were born and raised overseas.
How to Treat White Spot Lesions
One of the main treatments to improve white spot lesions is a procedure called Icon, which uses a special solution. Others include direct bonding and laminate veneers; however, these procedures require some drilling or removal of tooth structure. Therefore, our clinic recommends Icon treatment as the first choice.
