Standardized method to produce tetracycline-stained human molar teeth in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
This study tested the hypothesis that exposure of human molar teeth to tetracycline (TCN) derivatives in vitro results in tooth discoloration resembling the clinical presentation of TCN staining.


METHODS
The effects of exposure of 20 extracted human molar teeth to distilled water, chlortetracycline, doxycycline, or minocycline were compared. The baseline color of each tooth was analyzed with a dental spectrophotometer. The pulp chambers were each filled with a TCN derivative solution and then sealed. The teeth were placed in a centrifuge tube and then centrifuged at 2800 rpm for 20 minutes. Color change was monitored weekly for 7 weeks. Digital images of the surfaces were recorded. For each specimen at every evaluation period, color change from baseline was calculated using Commission Internationale d'Eclairage (CIE) Delta E 2000 (deltae00).


RESULTS
There was a significant association between the type of derivative used and deltae00, as well as between the evaluation period and deltae00. There was also a significant association between the interaction term, derivative x evaluation period, and deltae00. Results of the Holm-Sidak post hoc test demonstrated that all 3 TCN derivatives were associated with significantly larger deltae00 than the control group (P < or = .05).


CONCLUSIONS
All 3 TCN derivative solutions produced significant color changes as time progressed. Different TCN derivatives produced a different L* (lightness), C* (chroma), and H* (hue), with minocycline behaving distinctly differently from chlortetracycline and doxycycline. The model could be used to study the underlying mechanisms of TCN staining as well as many aspects of vital tooth
Chan
Daniel C N
DC
Division of Operative Dentistry, Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Medical College of Georgia, School of Dentistry, Augusta, Georgia, USA.
Rozier
Gregory Shayne
GS
Steen
Angela
A
Browning
William D
WD
Mozaffari
Mahmood S
MS
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar / Q000187:drug effects*; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013752:Tetracycline