My name is Dana M. Scruggs. I was born on September 27th, 1958. I have severely stained tetracycle stained teeth (as do my four other siblings.

I was born in Memphis, TN. Dr. Bland (at Saint Joseph's Hospital 220 Overton Avenue/Memphis, TN) prescribed Tetracycle to me and my siblings in the late 1950's to 1960's.

My teeth are a very darkish yellow/brown. (In the attached photograph you can see that my teeth are yellow). However, in this photograph, I have already had veneers and bleaching . . . and my teeth are still yellow. Under the veneers is a dak yellowish/brown color. One veneer broke so I can take another photo to show the contrast with and without veneers.

Tetracycline stained teeth ruined my life and my self esteem. I seldom ever dated in high school/college/post college. As a result, I never married . . . and I never got to experience the joy of forming a family and having children.

I do not know what a smile is, as I never had one! To go through life never smiling is the saddest thing that I have ever been through (and am still going through).

Both veneers and crowns cost about $1,200.00/veneer or crown. Veneers are much thinner than crowns so less tooth structure is removed in the prepping of the teeth for veneers. The problem . . . Veneers cannot completely cover the very dark tetracycle stains. The dark yellowish brown bleeds through the veneers. Bleaching helps a little but can only be used for touch up. I bleached and bleached and bleached and it made my enamel very weak! Crowns are much thicker than veneers and the "bleeding through" is not a problem with crowns. Yet, much more healthy tooth structure must be removed prior to placing the crowns on the teeth. Furthermore, veneers and crowns are not permanent. They must be replaced every 10 years or so. Hence, the cost is a lot more than a one time fix!

Pfiser knew what would happen to users of tetracycline (prior to permanent teeth coming in) and they sold it anyway! In fact, they are still selling it (and making a profit for a drug that caused a life time of pain for its' users).

Please help right this wrong!


Sincerely,



Dana M. Scruggs

707-655-2998

[email protected]