Dental fluorosis

Dental fluorosis (also termed mottled enamel) is hypomineralization of tooth enamel caused by ingestion of excessive fluoride during enamel formation.

It appears as a range of visual changes in enamel causing degrees of intrinsic tooth discoloration. The severity of the condition is dependent on the dose, duration and age of the individual during the exposure. In the mildest form (which is the most common) there are faint white lines or specks. Slightly more severe cases appear as white mottled patches, while severe fluorosis is characterized by brown discoloration and brittle, pitted and rough enamel.