Severe Tetracycline Stained Teeth

Severe Tetracycline Stained Teeth

When tetracycline was first used, the effect it would have on permanent teeth that were not yet erupted was unknown. The drug was widely dispersed amongst young children and pregnant women. Tetracycline has been around for over 50 years and treats a lot of symptoms, without side effects, in adults. But when children who have not yet formed enamel on their permanent teeth are subjected to this antibiotic, mild, moderate and severe discoloration with dark stain banding can occur. Let our office walk you through the many options available to you so you, the patient, can make choose the option that meets you needs.

Can Tetracycline Staining Be Removed?

In some cases, tetracycline staining can be removed with ultra professional power bleaching like Aquabrite – KoR. However, often times, the staining is too deep or the bleaching only works for a short time. When staining is too dark or too severe for bleaching, more conventional methods are used.

Can Veneers Be Used?

Veneers, because of their reputation, are often sought after to correct tetracycline staining. However, Dr. Koeppel does not always use veneers to correct this type of stain because of the width of the porcelain on a veneer. Because the veneer is so thin, extremely dark stain might show through. When the stain is that dark, slightly more tooth structure must be removed to give enough room for the porcelain to block out the stain.

The Best Treatment For Severe Stains

Porcelain crowns can be the only restoration with the width of porcelain thick enough to block out severe stain. With porcelain crowns, the advantage of creating ideal biting relationships exists, as well as interproximal (in between the teeth) staining. Due to his extensive work at the LVI and PAC-Live Institutes, Dr. Koeppel is very experienced in maintaining proper bite relations and achieving optimal results. Sometimes a combination of veneers and crowns are used harmoniously to best suit the smile line. Dr. Koeppel, to achieve the best results possible, always utilizes the most conservative, yet enduring, approach. After all, giving a long-lasting result is paramount.

Tetracycline Staining Removal Process

Dr. Koeppel’s strive for excellence in every case shows in all the steps he takes to insure the result will be nothing short of magnificent. Diagnostic wax ups allow Dr. Koeppel and the patient to collaboratively decide the best shape and size each tooth will be. The temporaries give the patient the option of changing size, shape, or color before the permanent ones are placed. “We always give the patient a chance to test drive the temporaries before we make final restorations. I meet with them personally and get their opinion of what they like or dislike about the temporaries and transmit those adjustments to the master ceramist to include in the final fabrication of their restorations, thereby making sure we exceeded our patient’s expectations. “We obsess so you don’t have to,” says Dr. Koeppel.