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Diagnoses

Enamel demineralization

Common treatment options

In most dental situations, you have the time to evaluate your treatment choices. No treatment is always an option, but may not be in your best interest. If you elect to be treated, there is often more than one way to proceed. Common treatment options for this diagnosis are listed on this page.

Early demineralization can often be arrested by the application of topical fluoride gels or varnishes. The dentist may recommend using a prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste or mouth rinse until the soft spots can be remineralized. The patient must be made aware of the cause(s) of the problem, and the cause(s) must be eliminated for treatment to be successful. Photographs and radiographs will likely be prescribed to document the progression of enamel demineralization to cavities that need fixing.

If early enamel demineralization is not treated, and its causes are not eliminated, it may be necessary to cut out the weakened tooth enamel and place some type of dental restoration—i.e. if the demineralization extends into the dentin layer of the tooth or produces an irregular enamel surface (Figure 1 under "Overview").

If enamel demineralization is considered unesthetic by the patient, treatment options may include tooth bleaching, tooth colored fillings, and/or veneers. For bleaching to be a permanent solution, the tooth enamel must be of normal hardness, and free of bacteria (which will continue to decay the tooth).

Depending on the cause(s), the patient may require nutrition counseling, drug counseling or counseling on eating disorders for the best likelihood of successful dental restoration.

Depending on the extent of damage caused by the enamel demineralization, the patient may require fillings, veneers or crowns to restore the teeth to normal contours, function and esthetics.

More information on dental procedures

Bleaching
Dental procedure image: Bleaching
Bleaching ("tooth whitening") is a process by which the teeth are made whiter using peroxide-based gels of varying concentrations...
Crowns
Dental procedure image: Crowns
A crown is a type of tooth restoration that covers all or a substantial portion of a badly broken down or decayed tooth...
Fillings & core buildups
Dental procedure image: Fillings and core buildups
Fillings are among the most frequently prescribed and versatile methods of restoring damaged or decayed teeth to proper appearance and function...
Onlays
Dental procedure image: Onlays
An onlay is a type of cusp-covering dental restoration that is made in a laboratory or by a computer controlled milling machine from either ceramic, composite resin, gold, titanium or other metals...
Photographs
Dental procedure image: Photographs
Diagnostic photographs can clearly illustrate the need for treatment that may not be obvious to a patient. They can also rule out the need for treatment...
Radiographs
Dental procedure image: Radiographs (X-rays)
Radiographs, ("X-rays") are used by dental health professionals to evaluate hard tissue (teeth and bones) for signs of disease process or abnormalities...
Topical fluoride
Dental procedure image: Topical fluoride
Fluoride is a naturally occurring element which helps to harden tooth enamel and make it more resistant to acid exposure. It helps protect against cavities and can reduce tooth sensitivity...
Veneers
Dental procedure image: Veneers
Veneers are thin laminations placed over tooth enamel to mask cosmetic defects, adjust the bite, and/or stabilize enamel fractures...