Minimally Invasive Direct Approach for Severe Dental Fluorosis: Balancing Aesthetics and Quality of Life

Abstract

Dental fluorosis, a condition caused by excessive fluoride intake during enamel formation, can significantly affect patients' quality of life due to aesthetic concerns. Depending on severity, treatment options range from bleaching or resin infiltration to more invasive techniques like veneers or crowns. In this article, a young patient with severe dental fluorosis underwent a stepwise, personalized and minimally invasive treatment including bleaching, micro- and macro-abrasion, resin infiltration, composite resin layering and composite resin injection. The results highlight the positive impact on the patient's quality of life, as evidenced by the reduction in the Oral Health Impact Profile 14 (OHIP-14) score from 23 to 0, and the effectiveness of these conservative techniques in achieving satisfactory aesthetic outcomes. This case report highlights that minimally invasive approaches can effectively restore dental aesthetics in severe fluorosis cases, significantly enhancing patients' quality of life—including psychological and social well-being—while preserving tooth structure.