I’ve had brown spots on my teeth since my permanent teeth erupted. Years ago, a doctor told me the stains were from a severe illness and fever that I had for over a year as a child. My dentist has recommended so many whitening products for my teeth, but my whitened teeth make the dark spots more noticeable. Last month, my dentist said wanted to try removing a little tooth enamel to eliminate the discoloration on my teeth, but how would my teeth look after that? Isn’t that almost the same as preparing teeth from porcelain veneers? Should I see another dentist about teeth whitening? Thanks. Eirini from MI
Eirini,
We understand your frustration with your current dental experience. Working with a dentist knowledgeable and experienced in cosmetic dentistry is essential.
Based on your description of the brown spots on your teeth, your dentist isn’t prepared to resolve your concerns. Skilled cosmetic dentists understand that bleaching often makes brown spots on teeth more noticeable. If your dentist doesn’t understand that principle, she would not have recommended bleaching.
Neither is removing enamel from your teeth a solution for brown spots without some form of cosmetic dentistry for aesthetics.
How Can You Treat Brown Spots on Teeth?
Depending on the cause and severity of brown spots on teeth, there are a few potential treatment options:
- Microabrasion: This procedure may be effective for certain white spots but is less likely to be successful for embedded brown spots.
- Direct Tooth Bonding: Applying a composite resin material to the affected teeth may conceal the brown spots while matching the surrounding teeth.
- Porcelain Veneers: A cosmetic dentist can work with a dental ceramist to craft thin, custom-made shells to cover the fronts of your affected teeth. Veneers typically require removing a small amount of tooth enamel to ensure they look natural, not bulky.
We recommend consulting a cosmetic dentist with post-graduate training in aesthetics. The dentist will have the training and experience to conceal the spots on your teeth. Although many dentists offer cosmetic dentistry services, look for one or two dentists with advanced training before scheduling consultations.
David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, Louisiana, accredited cosmetic dentist and Academy of General Dentistry Fellow, sponsors this post. Read what Dr. Finley and his team do to provide some of the best dental care in Monroe.
