INFILTRATION OF ENAMEL DEFECTS

Laura (38) was referred to my clinic for the removal of the enamel discolouration on tooth 11 and 21 and a small composite restoration on tooth 12. Treatment of the enamel defects was performed by; (1) rubberdam isolation, (2) cleaning and removal of the surface enamel layer with air-abrasion (AquaCare, Velopex), (3) enamel acid-etching with 15% hydrochloric acid (Icon Etch, DMG), (4) enamel infiltration with a TEGDMA-based resin (Icon Infiltrant, DMG), (5) a little cosmetic bonding with composite (Asteria Estelite, Tokuyama) and (6) some final finishing (Green Stone, Shofu) and polishing (Diacomp Twist, EVE).

Although there was both yellow and white discolouration present within the enamel, infiltration seemed to be successful without visual remnants of the yellow discoloration. The air-abrasion is very useful in these cases to clean, remove the surface enamel layer and to remove hypomineralized enamel if necessary; hypomineralized enamel is softer and therefore easily removed with air-abrasion without harming the neighbouring enamel too much.