Rotary reduction, enamel microabrasion, and dental bleaching for tooth color improvement.

Tooth color and shade can have an important influence on a person's appearance. Brown and white enamel dysmineralization defects, white hypocalcification lesions, and natural variations in tooth shading can detract from an otherwise attractive smile. Bonded facial composite resins, porcelain veneers, or full-coverage restorations can be used for color correction. A more conservative and less expensive approach is to eliminate or reduce the discoloration. In select cases this can be done without removing significant tooth structure and without placing restorative material to mask the tooth. This article describes a combination of "microreduction," microabrasion, and dental bleaching for tooth color correction that has worked well for certain patients. The method is easily performed, conservative, inexpensive, and requires minimal subsequent maintenance.