TETRACYCLINE STAINING OF TEETH
Tetracycline is a bacteriostatic antibiotic prescribed for long-term treatment of chronic infections such a acne and ear infections. It only became evident some six years after a course of treatment that tetracycline induce an unsightly yellow-brown discoloration in the teeth.
Teracyline binds with the calcium component of bones and teeth and is deposited at sites of active metabolism, causing a yellow-brown endogenous pigmentation of the hard tissues. Since teeth do not turn over like some bone tissue, the stain becomes a permanent "label" that fluoresces under ultraviolet light. Circumferential horizontal banding of the affected correspond the the calcification period.
Treatment Vital bleaching of the teeth can be effective with some cases. In many cases the teeth need to be prepared for veneers and in severe cases ceramic crowns.
More to follow