There are two types of stains that can dull your smile. Extrinsic stains are common and happen to everyone as the years march on. They are exacerbated by coffee, tobacco, and dark food and beverages. These stains generally respond very well to professional teeth whitening. Intrinsic stains occur from inside the dentin of your teeth. Generally, this is a result of medication side effects. Your Glencoe cosmetic dentist, Dr. Brent A. Engelberg, will tell you more about this type of staining, and what you can do if you’re tired of having a discolored smile.
Medication and Fluorosis
Tetracycline and other medications that are similar can have wonderful effects on patients in need. Unfortunately, in spite of the best efforts of science and research, side effects sometimes don’t become clear until after the meds are already long on the market. Tetracycline was seen as safe and given the greenlight, but who would have predicted the effect it would have on unborn babies when pregnant women ingested the medication? Many babies have been born seemingly in perfect condition, but when their teeth begin to erupt and are exposed to light, they darken to a brown color. There are other medications that can cause problems and also overexposure to fluoride which leads to a spotty, permanent discoloration called fluorosis.
Dealing with Intrinsic Stains
Teeth staining from medication or fluorosis generally will not be changed in the slightest from regular teeth whitening. You can consult with your Glencoe cosmetic dentist first, and decide if it’s even worth a try. However, if whitening won’t solve your staining, there is still plenty of hope. Porcelain veneers are highly versatile and can cover over just about any dental flaw with relative ease. In just two short visits, your unfortunate intrinsic stains can be a thing of the past.
Porcelain Veneers from Glencoe Cosmetic Dentist
Your cosmetic dentist in Glencoe offers cosmetic procedures that can help with a number of dental procedures, including teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. You can reach our 60093 dentist office at 847-259-8030. We are happy to serve patients in Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Skokie, Evanston, Palatine, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, Northwest Chicago Suburbs, and Northern Chicago Suburbs.
