Dental treatments

Why does a tooth turn black in colour?

A tooth turning black is a common side effect of having root canal treatment. The by-products of root canal filling materials are released into the tooth which can cause the tooth to discolour. Before doing cosmetic treatment on a discoloured root filled tooth, it is vital to check with an x-ray to make sure the tooth’s root filling is sound and there is no chronic infection present.

A tooth can also discolour as a result of trauma or tooth decay. Sometimes a tooth discolours years after the trauma has occurred.

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Treatment options


Internal whitening

Often with a black tooth, the problem is on the inside rather than the outside. This is why traditional external teeth whitening is ineffective because it only bleaches the enamel on the tooth’s outside surface. Internal whitening is applied to the inside of the discoloured tooth to rectify the problem and whiten the tooth. Internal whitening does not require any tooth reduction. However, internal whitening results are not permanent and the tooth may discolour again some years later and may need further internal tooth whitening.

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Composite bonding

This material is sculpted onto the tooth’s surface to cover up any discolouration or imperfections. Composite bonding can also change the shape of the tooth if needed. Composite bonding lasts around 3-5 years.

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Dental veneer or crown

If the structure of the tooth has been badly affected by decay or the tooth is very discoloured then a dental veneer or crown could be the ideal solution to hide the discolouration. A dental crown fits over the whole tooth to encase and protect it. This option will restore the colour of the tooth as well as protect it from fracture. Crowns and veneers usually last around 10 years.

Learn more about cosmetic dentistry

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