How to whiten teeth affected by tetracycline staining

Nov 29, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Chao

Introduction

Scaling teeth involves cleaning the tooth surface using ultrasonic vibration to remove tartar, plaque, and pigmentation. It is suitable for cases of tetracycline-stained teeth where the discoloration is not severe and the pigmentation has not yet penetrated into the enamel, remaining only on the tooth surface. The approximate cost ranges from 100 to 300 yuan per session, and improvement is generally visible within 1 to 2 hours.

Generally, the whitening methods for tetracycline-stained teeth mainly include scaling, cold light whitening, laser whitening, veneer restoration, and crown restoration. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to promptly visit a hospital for timely diagnosis and standardized treatment under a doctor's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Scaling

Scaling involves cleaning the tooth surface using ultrasonic vibration to remove dental calculus, plaque, and pigmentation. It is suitable for mild cases of tetracycline-stained teeth where pigments have not yet deposited into the enamel and remain only on the tooth surface. The approximate cost ranges from ¥100 to ¥300 per session, with visible improvement generally seen within 1-2 hours. However, it may cause symptoms such as gingival bleeding and pain.

2. Cold Light Whitening

Cold light whitening involves applying a whitening agent onto the teeth followed by cold light irradiation to drive the agent into the dentin, where it reacts with pigments to whiten the teeth. This method is suitable for moderate to severe cases of tetracycline staining. The approximate cost ranges from ¥2000 to ¥5000 per session, with visible improvement generally seen within 1-2 weeks. However, it may cause symptoms such as tooth sensitivity and gum swelling.

3. Laser Whitening

Laser whitening utilizes a specific wavelength emitted by a laser device to activate a whitening gel previously applied to the tooth surface, prompting a reaction with pigments to achieve tooth whitening. The approximate cost ranges from ¥3000 to ¥10000 per session, with visible improvement generally seen within 7-15 days. However, it may cause symptoms such as gingival bleeding and tooth sensitivity.

4. Veneer Restoration

Veneer restoration involves bonding a layer of resin material, closely matching the natural tooth color, onto the tooth surface to mask its original color. However, the resin's microstructure contains honeycomb-like micropores that are prone to staining from food pigments, generally requiring re-treatment every 3-4 years. The approximate cost ranges from ¥1000 to ¥4000 per session, with visible improvement generally seen within 1-2 weeks. However, it may cause symptoms such as enamel damage and a foreign body sensation in the mouth.

5. Crown Restoration

Crown restoration involves covering discolored teeth with a porcelain-fused-to-metal or all-ceramic crown to mask the original tooth color while restoring tooth shape and function. It is suitable for severe cases of tetracycline staining where tooth morphology and chewing function need improvement. The approximate cost ranges from ¥2000 to ¥5000 per session, with visible improvement generally seen within 1-3 months. However, it may cause symptoms such as tooth sensitivity and pain.

It is recommended to maintain good oral hygiene and avoid consuming deeply pigmented foods and beverages to promote oral health.

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Is dental scaling good for teeth?

Teeth cleaning primarily involves the use of specialized instruments to remove dental plaque, tartar, and pigmentation from the tooth surfaces. Dental plaque and tartar are significant contributing factors to oral diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Teeth cleaning effectively eliminates these pathogenic factors, helping to prevent and reduce gingival inflammation, improve symptoms such as gum bleeding and swelling, and contribute to maintaining fresh breath.

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Why are my teeth yellow inside but transparent on the outside, and what should I do?

Under normal circumstances, the condition where the inside of the teeth appears yellow while the outside remains transparent may be related to factors such as high translucency of the tooth enamel, dietary habits, dental fluorosis, tetracycline-stained teeth, or dental caries. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention and follow the doctor's guidance for treatments such as routine care or medication. Additionally, it is advised to maintain a balanced diet and reduce the consumption of pigmented foods and beverages to minimize pigment deposition.

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Why Are My Baby's Teeth Yellow?

Under normal circumstances, a baby's yellow teeth may be caused by improper diet, poor oral hygiene, dental caries, fluorosis, tetracycline-stained teeth, or other similar reasons. Treatment options may include general care, medication, or physical therapies, and should be conducted under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, it is advisable to avoid excessive consumption of deeply pigmented foods and beverages by the baby, in order to reduce the chance of pigmentation adhering to the tooth surfaces.

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How often should teeth be cleaned?