Antibiotic stains are an unfortunate side effect of antibiotic use in childhood. As an adult, you may attempt to have your teeth professionally whitened to eliminate the discoloration, quickly discovering that this cosmetic dentistry treatment really isn’t a viable option. Porcelain veneers, however, effectively treat antibiotic stains by concealing them completely.
How Antibiotic Stains Develop
The antibiotic prescribed by a doctor to treat an infection can become calcified in the developing teeth, causing stains to develop that cannot be bleached or washed away. This side effect usually occurs in kids age 8 and younger, damaging a child’s permanent teeth while they are still forming under the gums and have not yet erupted.
The ingestion of antibiotic during the years of tooth development can cause the dentin to become discolored and be visible through the enamel. Over time, the antibiotic oxidizes, resulting in a brown, permanent stain on the teeth.
Trying to Whiten Antibiotic-Stained Teeth
Whether you have one antibiotic-stained tooth or many, you have likely tried multiple methods for making your teeth whiter, brighter, and stain-free. You probably started with over-the-counter whitening methods, whether gels or toothpastes or strips. Ineffective, right?
Professional teeth whitening is a powerful smile makeover treatment, but it cannot make a dent in intrinsic tooth stains that are deep within the dentin and enamel either. Just like a person who is born with naturally yellowish teeth, a person with antibiotic stains simply must live with the discoloration – unless they opt for a more powerful smile upgrade: porcelain veneers.
Using Porcelain Veneers to Conceal Antibiotic Stains
Porcelain veneers can be customized to cover unsightly tooth enamel, blend in with the rest of your teeth, and give you a beautiful new smile. You work together with your New York City dentist to determine every element of your veneers, from color to shape to size, so they flatter and complement your appearance.
Most importantly, the veneers are white, so your teeth will be white and they will never be stained again. The side effects of antiobiotic will be concealed permanently.
For patients who are worried about damaging their already compromised enamel with the placement of veneers, there are alternatives to conventional veneers. Prepless veneers and microthin veneers are both minimally invasive cosmetic dentistry solutions. They don’t require the removal of tooth enamel and do not affect tooth structure to make room for the super-thin porcelain shields.
No matter what type of veneers you choose, they conceal every aesthetic complaint. antibiotic stains are just one of the many problems porcelain veneers can fix. You can cover up chips, cracks, stains, misalignment, gaps, and more.
Get Porcelain Veneers in Midtown Manhattan
It is difficult to live with antibiotic-stained teeth as an adult, but finally getting veneers will change how you feel about yourself, how you present yourself to others, and improve every aspect of your life. Schedule a consultation to discuss your smile makeover with Dr. Michael J. Wei, Midtown cosmetic dentist. Learn about the different forms of porcelain veneers that are available and change your smile permanently.
