One of the things many people worry about most when it comes to their smile is the color. Thanks to advances in dental medicine, it has never been easier to whiten your teeth. In fact, there are so many options that it often leaves people overwhelmed by which is best.
For those that suffer from tetracycline stains on their teeth, it can be disheartening to try product after product with little to no results. You may even begin to feel like there’s just no hope for a whiter smile. However, you’ll be happy to hear that Dr. Pappas has had great success helping those who have lived with tetracycline staining find confidence in their smile.
What is tetracycline?
Tetracycline is an antibiotic used to stop the growth of bacteria. It’s been around for decades and before the side effects were fully understood, it was used on pregnant women and children regularly. Unfortunately, the medication causes intrinsic stains, which occur on this inside of the tooth, when given during the development of permanent teeth which occurs from the time in utero until 8 years old.
Why is it so hard to fix?
Typical stains from food and plaque build-up, among other things, exist on the surface of the tooth. We call those stains extrinsic. Due to the intrinsic nature of the stains caused by tetracycline, simply whitening the surface of the teeth often does nothing to remove the discoloration. Thankfully, the staining caused by tetracycline is not harmful, but it can be embarrassing and many sufferers find it hard to be confident when they smile.
How can Dr. Pappas help?
Teeth Whitening
Even though whitening typically only solves the problem of surface stains, Dr. Pappas has had success with many patients using a more aggressive approach to the whitening process.
Porcelain Veneers
If whitening isn’t helping, porcelain veneers can give you a brand new smile. These incredibly thin shells are custom made and cover the surface of each tooth. They can help correct the color, shape and even size.
If you or someone you love has suffered from tetracycline stains without hope for a solution, call our office today at (602) 957-9643 to schedule an appointment and have your questions answered.
