When Your Child's Dental Enamel Fails To Develop
A case study suggested that the most important aspects of a relationship between a medical professional and their patients is trust, knowledge, regard, and loyalty. If your child is diagnosed with enamel hypoplasia, you and your family dentist will need to have a good relationship, since your child's dental needs will require regular attention and upkeep. But what is enamel hypoplasia, and how does it affect your child's teeth?
A Lack of Dental Enamel
It's a relatively rare condition, but enamel hypoplasia is when someone's dental enamel fails to develop. Since dental enamel functions as a protective coating for teeth, its absence can lead to serious complications. There are many factors that can lead to this condition, and some of them are hereditary. So if you and/or your child's other parent had issues with the development of your dental enamel, your child might experience the same problems. Certain prenatal difficulties and environmental factors (such as a calcium deficiency) can also contribute to enamel hypoplasia.
Cavities and Periodontal Disease
Enamel hypoplasia is not always immediately obvious, and it can only become evident when your child's baby teeth become affected. When dental enamel is lacking, or entirely absent, teeth are far more susceptible to cavities and an accelerated rate of periodontal disease. Ongoing preventative care and dental restoration work can be necessary, with a variety of options available for your child. What will your dentist do to protect your child's teeth?
Baby Teeth
Applying a form of sealant bonded to your child's teeth can create a type of synthetic enamel, offering your child's teeth the necessary level of protection from corrosive elements. This sealant will need to be periodically reapplied, as it will begin to deteriorate due to standard wear and tear. Your dentist might also recommend fluoride supplements to bolster your child's teeth, since the lack of enamel has made them more vulnerable to decay.
Adult Teeth
The best form of treatment will change as your child begins to shed their baby teeth. Once their adult teeth have emerged, your dentist will perform a thorough examination to see if these permanent teeth are also affected by enamel hypoplasia. Permanent teeth can benefit from a more permanent solution, and your child's best option might be to have dental crowns fitted, encasing each tooth with a porcelain crown which will protect the enamel-deficient underlying teeth.
An effective relationship with your family dentist becomes even more important when your child has enamel hypoplasia, since you will be having a lot of contact with your family dentist. They will be able to offer active solutions for both your child's baby and adult teeth.
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