Kids Dental Online - Plano & Carrollton

Pediatric Kids Dentist Plano Carrollton

Plano Office
3001 N Dallas Parkway, Suite B
Plano, TX 75093
Phone: 972-378-5437
       
Carrollton Office
1912 E Hebron Parkway, Suite 104
Carrollton, TX 75007
Phone: 972-394-2140
  • Home
  • Our Team
    • What is a Pediatric Dentist?
    • Meet Our Team of Pediatric Dentists
    • Jeffrey D. Holt, DDS, MS
    • Moisa Sapozhnikov, DDS
    • Mindy Li, DDS
    • Nathan Cotten, DDS, MS – Orthodontist
    • Dental Hygienists
  • Dental Topics
    • Toothaches in Children
    • Pulp Therapy in Children
    • Bruxism is Teeth Grinding or Jaw Clenching in Children
    • Tongue Thrusting in Children
    • Baby Dental Topics
      • Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
      • Dental Hygiene For Babies And Toddlers
      • Stages of Teething and Helpful Hints
      • Thumb Sucking and Pacifiers “Non-nutritive Sucking Habits”
    • Can Oral Piercings Affect Your Teeth?
    • Oral Hygiene
      • Dental Cavities and How to Prevent Them
      • Bad Breath in Children
      • Dental Fluoride Treatments in Children
      • Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities in Children
      • Dental Treatment for Tooth Decay
      • Oral Health and Gum Disease
      • Enamel Hypoplasia/Enamel Defect
      • Eating Healthy to Promote Strong Teeth in Children
      • Foods That Stain Teeth
      • Soda Drinking and Its Effect on Teeth
      • Sports Drinks Can Be Harmful to Teeth
      • Vaping Can Affect Oral Health
        • How Can Vaping Affect My Teen’s Oral Health?
      • Permanent Tooth Eruption In Children
    • White Dental Crowns for Kids
    • Is Teeth Whitening Safe For Children?
    • Wisdom Teeth
      • Over-Retained Primary Teeth (Baby Teeth)
        • Treating Over-Retained Primary Teeth (Baby Teeth)
    • Hyperdontia Supernumerary Teeth
    • Hypodontia (Missing Teeth)
    • Canker Sores (Aphthous Ulcers)
      • Treating Canker Sores (Aphthous Ulcers)
    • Tips & Safety
      • Eating Disorders Can Affect Kid’s Teeth
      • Preventing and Treating Oral Damage from Eating Disorders
      • Xylitol Dental Benefits
      • Choosing the Best Toothpaste for Children
      • Dental Emergencies
      • Dental Health Resources
      • Dental Sedation
      • Healthy Eating
      • Motivating Your Child to Brush Their Teeth
      • Mouth Guards Prevent Dental Injury in Sports
      • Pediatric Dental X-rays (Radiography) and Safety
    • Dental Emergencies
    • Orthodontics
      • Why Young Kids Need Braces
      • Types of Braces
      • Orthodontic Daily Care
        • Caring for Braces
        • How do you care for braces
        • Helpful Tips for Braces
      • Jaw Surgery for Orthodontics (Maxilla and Mandible)
  • Gallery
    • Photo Gallery
  • Review Us
    • Testimonials
    • Patient Survey
  • Information
    • Kids First Dental Visit
    • Kids Dental News
    • Kids Quotes
      • Submit Kids Quote
      • Kids Dental Welcome Video
      • Ed Meets the Dentist
      • Dental App for Kids
  • Locations
    • Carrollton Office
    • Plano Office
  • Contact Us
    • Website Index Sitemap
  • Appt Request

Enamel Hypoplasia/Enamel Defect

Enamel hypoplasia (enamel defect) is a common medical condition, classified as a developmental dental defect (D3),

Enamel hypoplasia (enamel defect) is a common medical condition, classified as a developmental dental defect (D3), characterized by a reduction of tooth enamel thickness or poor-quality tooth enamel due to low mineral content. This underdeveloped enamel can appear as discoloration or spots on the teeth or a dent, rough area, or pit on the affected tooth’s surface.

Enamel hypoplasia typically presents while the tooth enamel is developing, so young children are especially susceptible; however, enamel hypoplasia can affect adults (and permanent teeth), as well. Enamel hypoplasia generally worsens over time and can affect any of the teeth. Cases can range from mild, with only a few visible spots, to severe, in which the enamel is significantly deformed, giving the tooth a translucent appearance.

Symptoms of Enamel Hypoplasia/Enamel Defect

Symptoms and signs of enamel hypoplasia can vary depending on how severe the condition is or how far it has progressed. Hypoplastic spots, which are the most common indicators of enamel hypoplasia, can appear as yellow, white, or brown discolorations on the teeth.

Other common symptoms and signs of enamel hypoplasia include:

  • Surface pits and fissures: Teeth can erupt with depressions in the enamel surface that can trap food and plaque. These pits and fissures generally begin forming during early tooth development and are caused by problems with the cells that form the enamel.
  • Tooth sensitivity: Affected teeth are often sensitive to hot and cold sensations due to the thinness of their enamel.
  • Excessive dental caries (cavities): Teeth with poor-quality or less enamel are more susceptible to decay, therefore patients with enamel hypoplasia often experience more cavities.

Since other conditions can cause some of these same symptoms, enamel hypoplasia is often misdiagnosed or not identified. If your child exhibits signs of enamel hypoplasia, consult a pediatric dentist, who typically has more experience in such childhood dental disorders, for an evaluation.

What Causes Enamel Hypoplasia?

Enamel hypoplasia can be the result of many factors, therefore its cause may be difficult to ascertain.

Contributing factors to enamel hypoplasia include:

  • Genetic disorders
  • Exposure to toxic chemicals (during infancy or pregnancy)
  • Infection or illness during pregnancy
  • Dental trauma or jaw injury
  • Maternal smoking
  • Vitamin A, C, or D deficiency
  • Hypoxia (lack of oxygen to bodily tissues)
  • Premature birth
  • Intubation of premature babies
  • Malnutrition (pre-natal or post-natal)
  • Certain medications taken during pregnancy or infancy
  • Some early childhood diseases and/or chronic illness in the first few years of life

Mild cases of enamel hypoplasia usually present only cosmetic problems, however, if left untreated, enamel hypoplasia can become severe and lead to significant complications. The increased risk of tooth decay can result in a myriad of dental issues, including:

  • Tooth pain
  • Early childhood caries
  • Tooth loss
  • Costly dental treatments

Treatment for Enamel Hypoplasia

Treatment for enamel hypoplasia will depend on its severity. For cases that are purely aesthetic, without any other dental complications, cosmetic treatments can be utilized on the affected teeth.

Cosmetic treatment options for enamel hypoplasia include:

  • Microabrasion: Treatment involving roughening (or abrading) the tooth surface and then whitening it to allow the tooth to have a more blended appearance
  • Tooth bonding: Procedure in which tooth-colored resins are attached to the hypoplastic teeth
  • Tooth veneers: Porcelain overlays which cover the entirety of each affected tooth

Minor enamel hypoplasia can usually be controlled by practicing good oral hygiene, such as avoiding sugary foods and undergoing routine fluoride treatments.

Other treatments for enamel hypoplasia may include:

  • Use of enamel-strengthening toothpaste or re-mineralizing cream
  • Additional fluoride treatments
  • Restoration through dental crowns
  • Extraction in conjunction with orthodontic evaluation, a bridge, or an implant

The main goals of initial enamel hypoplasia treatment are:

  • Reduce tooth sensitivity
  • Strengthen enamel
  • Improve appearance

At Kids Dental, we offer comprehensive, family-centered pediatric dental care in a child-friendly nurturing environment. If you are looking for a place to call your dental home, please schedule a consultation with one of our pediatric dentists or orthodontist by completing an Online Appointment Request or calling our Kids Dental Plano Office or Kids Dental Carrollton Office.

Kids Dental Locations Appointment Request

Plano Office Phone: 972-378-5437

Carrollton Office Phone: 972-394-2140

Latest Addition

toothache in children

Toothaches in Children

Toothaches in children are a common occurrence from early childhood to adolescence. They can result from normal oral development or be a sign of a dental problem. Pediatric dentist Dr. Jeff Holt and his team at Kids Dental in Plano, Carrollton, and … Toothaches in Children - Kids Dental - Plano & Carrollton

Kids Dental in Plano and Carrollton, Dr. Jeffrey D. Holt, DDS, Pediatric Dentists and Orthodontist

About Our Team

About Our Team Dr. Jeff Holt and our team of pediatric dentists, orthodontists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants welcome you to Kids Dental located in Plano and Carrollton. All of our clinical staff members are registered by the Texas State Board of … Our Team

Pediatric Dental Topics

Dental Topics

Pediatric Dental Topics The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) supports the concept of a dental home for all infants, children, adolescents, and persons with special health care needs. As your dental home we include all aspects of … Dental Care

Dental braces in children at Kids Dental

Orthodontics

Orthodontics Properly aligned teeth and jaws can prevent tooth decay, gum disease and other health problems. An attractive smile is a nice side effect of orthodontic care, but there are plenty of other reasons to see an orthodontist too. Please call … Orthodontics

How Can Vaping Affect My Teen’s Oral Health?

While more research needs to be performed, initial studies concerning … [Read More...]

Vaping Can Affect Oral Health

Vaping can affect oral health negatively, despite electronic cigarettes … [Read More...]

dental sealants in children prevent cavities

Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities in Children

Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities in Children Dental sealants have been used largely since the 1960s as a protective tool in dentistry, due to their … Dental Sealants

Archives

Kids Dental

Plano and Carrollton, Texas

Pediatric Dentists

  • Dr. Jeffrey Holt
  • Dr. Moisa Sapozhnikov
  • Dr. Mindy Li

Orthodontist

Dr. Nathan Cotten

Plano Office

Kids Dental Plano
3001 N Dallas Parkway, Suite B
Plano, Texas 75093

Phone: 972-378-5437

Carrollton Office

Kids Dental Carrollton
1912 E Hebron Parkway, Suite 104

Carrollton, Texas 75007

Phone: 972-394-2140

Parent's Corner

Parent Information
Patient Forms
Pediatric Dental Library
Kid's Dental Blog

Testimonials

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on YouTubeFollow Us on Google+Follow Us on LinkedIn

Copyright © 2023 · KidsDental Online · Plano & Carrollton Pediatric Dentists · Sitemap · Log in