Expert: Steven C. Scherr, D.D.S. - 4/21/2005

Question
Hi Dr. Wissot-

I am 35 yr old male with very good teeth and healthy gums. I had a check up today and everything was excellent, except for having  tetracycline stains. My dentist thought I was a smoker. I am not. Anyway, I am considering bonding or veeners for covering stains. I have used bonding for 20 years...but the bonding whiteness doesn't last long. My dentist is trying to get me to try veneers but the cost is too high.($800 a tooth.) Is their anything that will make my teeth white without having to get any cosmetic dentistry?
I also saw online there is an ongoing debate about Crest Whitening Strips vs. Carbomide Peroxide for helping to reduce tretracycline stains. Which is better?

Thanks, Todd

Answer
Todd,

Tetracycline stain is difficult to treat, though not impossible.  Some success has been achieved with professionally monitored home whitening products used daily over a period of 6-9 months or more.  These products are dispensed by a dentist along with a thin custom made tray that fits over the teeth.  The whitening gel is applied to the inside of the tray before it is slipped over the teeth daily (or nightly).  This is the same method that gives good results for people without tetracycline stains in as little as 1-3 weeks.  You may want to ask your dentist about this alternative.

The active ingredient in Crest White Strips is hydrogen peroxide.  Carbamide peroxide combines with water (from saliva) to produce hydrogen peroxide.  Either way, hydrogen peroxide does the work of whitening the teeth.  Carbamide peroxide can be thought of as a timed-release formula and is typically used overnight.  Hydrogen peroxide works for 30-60 minutes before losing its potency.  There is no evidence that one works better or less so than the other.

However, Crest White Strips package the chemical agent into a plastic film which is placed over the teeth.  It is one size fits all, and does not cover all of the teeth for many individuals.  Results are less consistant when compared with the custom tray applicator which I much prefer.  Both hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide products are available with custom trays in a range of strengths.

Good luck!

Steve