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Teeth Whitening Didn’t Work for Brown Spots

Teeth Whitening Didn’t Work for Brown Spots

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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 being placed on a tooth

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.

I Am Afraid That Veneers Will Make My Tetracycline Stains Look Worse

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A white smile portraying results of porcelain veneers on tetracylcline stainsI have tetracycline stains on my teeth that look bad. I am 37 years old and can finally do something about it. My cousin has the stains, too, but she got porcelain veneers. My dentist said that porcelain veneers might help me, too.

I am really nervous about them because my cousin’s porcelain veneers look just as bad as her tetracycline teeth, just in another way. Her veneers look like a strip of cheap plastic teeth that she popped off of a find-your-size fake teeth kit. The dentist that did her veneers told her that there was no other way to hide the dark stains on her teeth. I told her to ask for her money back, but she never did.

My teeth are almost as bad as my cousin’s tetracycline teeth. If I get veneers, will they have to look like hers? Thank you. Genesis from Dallas

Genesis,

Thank you for your question.

Covering tetracycline stains with porcelain veneers is an art that only a skilled, artistic cosmetic dentist can master. It’s not easy. Unless your dentist has post-graduate cosmetic dentistry training, we recommend that you look for another dentist.

Hiding Tetracycline Stains with Porcelain Veneers

Hiding tetracycline stains with veneers requires a cosmetic dentist who understands balancing translucency with color. Your porcelain veneers don’t have to look like your cousin’s, but you must diligently look for a cosmetic dentist who has experience with porcelain veneers and tetracycline stains.

  • Ask for photos: Ask to see before-and-after pictures of other patients.
  • Be open: Talk with the dentist about your concerns and the results you want.
  • Speak up: If you decide to get porcelain veneers, you must speak up about anything about the model veneers that you don’t like.

If you feel as though the dentist you have chosen will not give you natural-looking results, find another dentist. The frustration of selecting a new dentist is nowhere near the disappointment you would experience if you received a smile makeover that you don’t like.

Dr. Gilberto Tostado, a San Antonio, Texas dentist, sponsors this post.

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