Dental Bonding for Tetracycline Stains?

I have tetracycline stains that I want to repair. I was planning on using dental bonding for the repair. Someone told me that I may want to cover the tetracycline stains with porcelain veneers instead of dental bonding. However, when I priced them, they seem to be more expensive than dental bonding. Is it really that much better a treatment?

Callie

Dear Callie,

before and after dental bonding

Dental bonding is a great procedure for doing small repairs, such as for chipped teeth or tooth gaps. However, for repairs across a larger surface area of a tooth, as you would need for tetracycline stains, it would not be your best option. Bonding has to be done freehand and in the long run, will end up costing you more money in chair time. In addition, bonding is done with a composite material, which will only last you a few years.

Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, are made from porcelain. Not only are they much more stain resistant than composite bonding, but when well cared for they can last for a lifetime, saving you money in the long run as well because they will not have to be replaced every few years. They will also give you a much more beautiful result than you would get with the bonding.

Both of these procedures will need someone with experience in cosmetic dentistry. I would be certain to look at their smile gallery before committing to that dentist doing the work. Ask specifically to see before and after images of tetracycline cases they have done because that is one of the toughest cosmetic cases there is to do.

They should also be willing to place the porcelain veneers on your teeth with a temporary try-in paste and allow you to look at them in several different types of lighting. If you’re not happy with the results they need to go back to the lab to make any changes necessary until you are.

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Steven Collins.