Tetracycline Stains
Question: I am 54 years and I have tetracycline stained teeth – they look gray!
I am a coffee drinker as well. Short of porcelain veneers, is there ANYTHING that will help these teeth?
I am a coffee drinker as well. Short of porcelain veneers, is there ANYTHING that will help these teeth?
Treating Tetracycline Stains
The antibiotic tetracycline can be a life-saver. It kills a wide spectrum of bacteria. But if it’s taken while the teeth are forming, it deposits in the dentin of the teeth and gives them a permanent gray or brown stain. Sometimes the teeth will be darkened in horizontal bands. Sometimes the darkening is moderate. While bleaching will lighten this stain, it has only a mild effect on it and won’t eliminate it. And bleaching will never get rid of the banding. The best treatment is porcelain veneers.
The photo below shows a very dark color, and you can see the horizontal banding:
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| Dark tetracycline stains | Beautiful porcelain veneers completely mask the dark color |
Covering these stains with porcelain veneers isn’t easy. It requires extensive experience with cosmetic dentistry, with a strong understanding of color and the use of opaquers and translucent materials. Dr. Cohen is one of a handful of accredited cosmetic dentists in the Chicago area, and has the necessary training and artistic ability to treat tetracycline stains with beautiful results.