Biomaterial Database

Indications and limits of the microabrasion technique. 2007

Nacer Benbachir, and Stefano Ardu, and Ivo Krejci

Division of Cariology and Endodontology, Dental School, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. nacer.benbachir@medecine.unige.ch

This clinical report illustrates with clinical cases the indications and limits of microabrasion in patients with discolored anterior teeth. The proposed techniques are based on the elimination of the dysplastic external enamel layer through microabrasion, completed by home bleaching and the use of modern adhesive restorative techniques, if necessary. In specific cases, the proposed technique may eliminate dysplastic enamel lesions without being invasive. The use of minimally invasive techniques based on microabrasion allows for treatment of slight enamel defects. In more severe cases, megabrasion combined with a minimally invasive adhesive resin composite restoration may present a valuable alternative to microabrasion.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007180	Incisor	Any of the eight frontal teeth (four maxillary and four mandibular) having a sharp incisal edge for cutting food and a single root, which occurs in man both as a deciduous and a permanent tooth. (Jablonski, Dictionary of Dentistry, 1992, p820)	Incisors
D008963	Molar	The most posterior teeth on either side of the jaw, totaling eight in the deciduous dentition (2 on each side, upper and lower), and usually 12 in the permanent dentition (three on each side, upper and lower). They are grinding teeth, having large crowns and broad chewing surfaces. (Jablonski, Dictionary of Dentistry, 1992, p821)	Molars
D009050	Fluorosis, Dental	A chronic endemic form of ENAMEL HYPOMINERALIZATION caused by drinking water with a high fluorine content during the time of tooth formation, and characterized by defective calcification that gives a white chalky appearance to the enamel, which gradually undergoes brown discoloration. (Jablonski's Dictionary of Dentistry, 1992, p286)	Dental Fluorosis,Mottled Enamel,Mottled Teeth,Dental Fluoroses,Fluoroses, Dental,Enamel, Mottled,Mottled Enamels,Teeth, Mottled
D003744	Dental Enamel Hypoplasia	An acquired or hereditary condition due to deficiency in the formation of tooth enamel (AMELOGENESIS). It is usually characterized by defective, thin, or malformed DENTAL ENAMEL. Risk factors for enamel hypoplasia include gene mutations, nutritional deficiencies, diseases, and environmental factors.	Enamel Hypoplasia,Enamel Agenesis,Enamel Hypoplasia, Dental,Hypoplasia, Dental Enamel,Hypoplastic Enamel,Agenesis, Enamel,Enamel Ageneses,Enamel Hypoplasias,Enamel, Hypoplastic,Hypoplasia, Enamel
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014075	Tooth Discoloration	Any change in the hue, color, or translucency of a tooth due to any cause. Restorative filling materials, drugs (both topical and systemic), pulpal necrosis, or hemorrhage may be responsible. (Jablonski, Dictionary of Dentistry, 1992, p253)	Discoloration, Tooth,Discolorations, Tooth,Tooth Discolorations
D019243	Enamel Microabrasion	Mechanical removal of a small amount of tooth structure (not more than a few tenths of a millimeter in depth) to eliminate superficial enamel discoloration defects not successfully removed by bleaching techniques. A common abrasive is a mixture of pumice and hydrochloric acid.	Dental Microabrasion,Microabrasion, Dental,Microabrasion, Enamel,Dental Microabrasions,Enamel Microabrasions,Microabrasions, Dental,Microabrasions, Enamel