My dentist used whitening products to lighten brown spots on my teeth that have been there since childhood. My teeth are white, but the whitening products make the brown spots look worse. My dentist thinks he can grind away the discoloration and replace it with dental bonding. Is this my only option? Zenia
Zenia,
Your dentist’s attempts to whiten brown spots on your teeth that have been present since childhood, but he doesn’t understand how to improve tooth discoloration.
What Causes Brown Spots on Teeth?
The causes of brown spots on teeth may include a medical condition, medication, or external factors, including:
- Excessive fluoride intake during childhood
- Taking tetracycline (antibiotic) during childhood while teeth are developing
- Tooth decay
- Trauma
- Tobacco products
- Untreated decalcification around braces
Will Teeth Whitening Remove Brown Spots?
Teeth whitening will remove surface stains on teeth. However, it does not remove brown stains from factors such as fluorosis, tetracycline, or fever during childhood.
What Is the Treatment for Brown Stains on Teeth?
Porcelain veneer
Depending on the cause and severity of brown stains on teeth, a skilled cosmetic dentist may remove them with microabrasion, dental bonding, or porcelain veneers.
- Microabrasion – Hydrochloric acid and pumice gently remove small amounts of stained tooth removal.
- Dental bonding – A dentist can color match and layer dental composite by hand to conceal moderate to severe tooth stains.
- Porcelain veneers – The process begins by removing less than a millimeter of tooth enamel to prepare your teeth for porcelain veneers. An advanced cosmetic dentist can work with a master ceramist to produce natural-looking veneers that conceal the brown spots.
Consult an advanced cosmetic dentist with post-graduate training to discuss your options for concealing brown stains on your teeth.
San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post. Read how they strive to provide patients with some of the best dental care in San Antonio.