Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments For Tetracycline Damaged Teeth

Dentist Blog

If you were prescribed the medication tetracycline as a child, and it has left you with permanent damage to the enamel of your teeth, then you will be happy to know that this damage can be corrected by a wide variety of current day cosmetic dentistry procedures. 

Antibiotics Damage to Growing Teeth

It has been known for a long time that the antibiotics tetracycline, and amoxicillin, can cause permanent damage to growing teeth. When these strong antibiotics are given to pregnant women, or small children, they can cause problems with the formation of the child's teeth in years to come.

The antibiotic amoxicillin can cause white spots to form on teeth. These white spots are formed by a process known as florosis. Florosis is caused by an excess of the mineral fluoride in the body, during the time when the teeth are forming their enamel.

When a baby or growing child is exposed to the antibiotic tetracycline, even more severe damage to the teeth can occur. The tetracycline interferes with the tooth enamel's growth and causes a very visible dark brown staining on the teeth. When this staining is light, it can be easily treated. When the staining is darker, it will need to be covered-up in order to achieve the best treatment result.

Treatment Options for Antibiotic Damaged Tooth Enamel

There are three treatments for antibiotic damaged teeth:

  1. strong bleaching
  2. porcelain veneers
  3. porcelain crowns.

Strong Bleaching

Your cosmetic dentist can use a strong bleaching compound to bleach some of the brown staining on your teeth. A laser can be applied to the whitening compound to enhance its effectiveness. This process will need to be repeated periodically. Additionally, this treatment is only effective if your teeth have a very light staining issue. For darker staining, you will need to have porcelain veneers, or crowns, applied to your teeth. 

Porcelain Veneers and Crowns

If your teeth have been severely damaged by tetracycline, then the best cosmetic dentistry treatment option is for you to have porcelain veneers, or crowns, applied to your teeth. Both options are permanent solutions, and the major difference is that the veneers only cover the front surface of your teeth, while the crowns cover the entire tooth. Often those who have other serious dental issues will opt for the veneer crowns. People who have little dental decay typically opt for porcelain veneers.

Conclusion

Through the process of bleaching, or applying simple dental appliances to your teeth, a cosmetic dentist in your area can easily correct your tetracycline stained teeth.

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16 December 2014

Maximizing Your Smile Power

As a busy professional, my public appearance is very important to me. Networking with potential clients and business contacts is as much about the image you present as it is about what you do and what you know. I take care to look my best every day by taking special care with my hair, makeup, and clothes. But for a long time, I was embarrassed about my smile, and restricted myself to tight, closed mouth smiles to hide my yellowed, crooked teeth. Then I discovered what cosmetic dentistry could do for me. With the help of a great cosmetic dentist, I decided to have tooth whitening treatments and use corrective tooth straightening equipment. Now I have no problem flashing a big, white smile everywhere I go. You can do the same thing! Find out how cosmetic dentistry can maximize your smile power and improve your life.