A Minimally Invasive Management Approach to Tetracycline Staining of Adult Dentition

Tetracyclines were introduced as broad spectrum antibiotic for the treatment of various infections, both in children and adults. One of the major drawback with tetracycline is its incorporation into the tooth that are calcifying leading to discoloration which ranges from yellow grey to brownish black as they have the ability to chelate calcium. There is a possibility that this discoloration may not be limited to developing tooth but may also affect adult dentition after eruption. When given over long periods of time in adults, the tetracycline molecule is incorporated into the continuously forming secondary dentin. It is possible that continuous exposure of the incorporated tetracycline to the sun might lead to the formation of oxidation product and lead to discoloration. This case report suggests minimally invasive strategies to manage tetracycline staining in adult dentition. Keywords: Tetracycline stains, Adult dentition, Bleaching, Microabrasion, Direct Veneers.