Treatment of Tooth Discoloration using Microabrasion Technique : Case Report

Microabrasion Techinique을 이용한 치아변색의 치료증례

Tooth discoloration detracts from one's appearance and influences self-image and it is particularly true in children. Therefore, pediatric dentists are required to treat tooth discoloration manifested in children for the normal development of their psycosocial health. Three treatment modalities are currently availabler for the removal of a variety of intrinsic stains from vital teeth. These are enamel microabrasion technique using hydrochloric acid, office bleaching and home bleaching technique with carbamide. Microabrasion technique has several advantages over bleaching in that it is easy to accomplish and does not require multiple office visits or the expensive instruments and the color change seems to be permanent after treatment. The process relies on decalcification, a softening with HCl and then removal of the enamel containing the stain with rubbing. Due to the mechanism of stain removal, this method is indicated for the removal of superficial enamel stains or disc oloration only. We report four successfully treated cases by enamel microabrasion using 15% HCl and pumice. Entire clinical steps are described in detail with some discussions on the outcome.