Expert: Dr. Jeffrey L. Wissot - 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
Whitening is a waste of money for tetracycline stain. Please visit:

http://www.dentistry.com/aesthetic_dental_center.asp

Your dentist mistook tetracycline stain for smoking? Get a second opinion and request before and after photos of actual cases before selecting a dentist for cosmetic dentistry.

http://dentistry.com/dentfind.asp

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Jeffrey L. Wissot, DDS, FAGD
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