QUESTION:
Does your Lab Direct Teeth Whitening Process work on tetracycline and minocycline discoloration?

ANSWER:
Yes as shown by the following article:

CHICAGO (January 23, 2001) The Academy of General Dentistry

New findings reveal how a tooth whitening procedure - typically not an option for those children with tetracycline-stained teeth - can be effective for lightening dark, intrinsic stains, with results lasting more than four and a half years, according to the Academy of General Dentistry.

"Before this study, people with tetracycline stains were considered poor candidates for nightguard vital bleaching," explains Ralph H. Leonard Jr., DDS, MPH, who has spent more than 10 years researching this topic, also known as a common tooth whitening procedure. "Until recently, crowns, veneers or internal bleaching were patients' primary cosmetic options for alleviating stains caused by tetracycline."

Tetracycline is an antibiotic that was widely used in the past primarily to treat ear infections in children. When the drug is taken during tooth formation and development, it can cause dark, intrinsic discolorations of teeth -- staining the tooth from the inside out. The teeth may be stained various shades of yellow, gray, brown or bluish-black with horizontal bands during the time in which the drug was taken.

Minocycline, a drug in the tetracycline family, is also capable of discoloring teeth. Minocycline is widely used today to treat severe acne in adolescents. Consumers, dentists and medical doctors should be aware of the possible tooth staining effects of minocycline therapy.

Patients with tetracycline stains on the lower two-thirds of the tooth (the biting edge) may see a better cosmetic result than those that have stains on the upper third of the tooth, near the gum line.

Tooth bleaching is the whitening method used to treat tetracycline stains. Stains can be lightened in many cases with extended treatment time and with minimal side effects. "Most commonly reported side effects are tooth sensitivity and gum irritation; both disappear soon after completion of the whitening," says Dr. Leonard.

Patients are fitted with custom mouth tray for application of the whitening gel. The patient will place the gel in the tray and wear the tray for four to eight hours a day or at night until a desirable cosmetic results is obtained. In many cases, it may be four to eight weeks for the desired effect to occur, but it could take six or more to obtain the result, due to extensive staining.

"This whitening method shows that tetracycline-stained teeth can be whitened successfully," reports Dr. Leonard. "Patients who participated in the study were overwhelmingly positive about the results, were glad they had participated in the study and would recommend the procedure to others."

The Academy of General Dentistry is a non-profit organization of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up-to-date in the profession through continuing education. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to patient's oral health needs.