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Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a skin disease characterized by white areas caused by loss of pigment in the skin. It affects men and women equally and has a prevalence of around 1% in the population. Although the exact cause of the disease is unknown, it is considered an autoimmune disease. The body shows an immune response against melanocytes, preventing melanin production. Although vitiligo can be seen at any age, it usually starts before the age of 20.
Vitiligo is manifested by the formation of white spots in different parts of the body. Although it is especially common in areas exposed to the sun, it can be seen in any area. This disease does not damage other organs other than the skin, but the spots in the visible areas can cause psychological problems, depression and anxiety in the person.
What is Vitiligo (Ala's Disease)?
Vitiligo, also popularly known as blush disease, is a skin disease characterised by white areas caused by loss of pigment in the skin. It affects men and women equally and has an incidence of around 1% in the society. Although the exact cause of the disease is unknown, it is recognised as an autoimmune disease. The body shows an immune response against melanocytes and prevents melanin production. Although vitiligo can be seen at any age, it usually starts before the age of 20. Vitiligo manifests itself with the formation of white spots in different parts of the body. Although it is especially common in areas exposed to the sun, it can be seen in any area. This disease does not damage other organs other than the skin, but spots in visible areas can cause psychological problems, depression and anxiety in the person.
What Causes Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is caused by the loss of pigment-producing cells in the body called melanocytes. Melanin pigment is a substance that gives color to the skin, eyes and hair. When melanocytes stop producing pigment or die, light-colored or white spots appear on the skin. Although the exact causes of vitiligo, also known colloquially as ala disease, are not fully known, some triggering factors can be mentioned. These include the destruction of cells as a result of the immune system attacking melanocytes, stress, exposure to industrial chemicals, sunburn. There are also some ideas that a family history of vitiligo can lead to vitiligo in the next generation, but this has not been proven. Vitiligo can often be confused with psoriasis or other dermatitis, but special methods are used to differentiate it. Among these methods, special lamps that emit ultraviolet light are often used. In addition, to diagnose vitiligo, the patient's medical history is examined, a skin biopsy may be performed and blood tests may be ordered to investigate whether other underlying diseases are causing vitiligo. As a result of these tests, vitiligo can be easily diagnosed.
What are the Symptoms of Vitiligo?
Vitiligo symptoms usually manifest with loss of pigment in the skin. This condition occurs due to the loss or dysfunction of pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. Vitiligo usually develops slowly, and the first symptoms of vitiligo include the appearance of white or light-colored patches on the skin. These spots are usually round or oval in shape and can appear in different parts of the body. It is especially common in areas such as the face, hands, elbows, knees and genital area. Additionally, vitiligo spots may occur in sun-exposed areas or in skin folds. The disease usually does not cause itching or pain, but there is a risk of making the skin more susceptible to sunburns or other skin problems due to loss of pigment. Graying of hair or the appearance of white spots is also a common symptom in people with vitiligo. Symptoms of Ala disease often vary from person to person and may differ depending on the severity of the disease.After the planning is completed, if orthodontic treatment is not necessary, the level disorders in the gums are corrected first. In case of tooth deficiencies, implant procedures and other surgical applications are performed. After the completion of the healing process of surgical interventions, teeth whitening procedures are applied if needed. After this stage, visual and stylistic defects in the teeth are corrected by using aesthetic composite fillings. In cases where this method is insufficient, porcelain, laminated or zirconium veneers are used. During all these gum and dental applications, the targeted smile design is finalised by considering the lip shape and contour.
How to Treat Vitiligo?
At the beginning of smile design, it is of great importance to understand the aesthetic expectations of the patient correctly and to determine the needs. Hollywood smile application is planned individually. Potential problems are identified and plans are made with the models prepared using the mouth measurements taken from the patient. Then, measurements are made with the patient's intraoral and facial photographs using special programmes in the computer environment and the harmony with the face shape is calculated. The approximate images that will be formed after the treatment are presented to the patient with temporary restorations prepared in accordance with the programmes and the patient's oral structure and their opinions are taken.
After the planning is completed, if orthodontic treatment is not necessary, the level disorders in the gums are corrected first. In case of tooth deficiencies, implant procedures and other surgical applications are performed. After the completion of the healing process of surgical interventions, teeth whitening procedures are applied if needed. After this stage, visual and stylistic defects in the teeth are corrected by using aesthetic composite fillings. In cases where this method is insufficient, porcelain, laminated or zirconium veneers are used. During all these gum and dental applications, the targeted smile design is finalised by considering the lip shape and contour.