Redmond Molloy Blog

You can change the stained teeth you hate- here's your options.

Teeth can become discolored by stains on the surface or by changes in the tooth material. Dentists divide discoloration into three main categories:

Extrinsic- teeth Stain — This occurs when the outer layer of the tooth (the enamel) is stained. Coffee, wine, cola or other drinks or foods can stain teeth. Smoking also causes extrinsic stains.These are the stains that our dentists remove during a routine cleaning here at Redmond Molloy.

 Intrinsic- teeth Stain — This is when the inner structure of the tooth (the dentin) darkens or gets a yellow tint. You can get this type of discoloration if:

Your teeth had excessive exposure to fluoride during early childhood

Your mother was given tetracycline antibiotics during the second half of pregnancy.

You were given tetracycline antibiotics when you were 8 years old or younger.

You had trauma that affected a tooth when you were a young child. A fall, for example, may cause damage to the developing permanent tooth.

 

Age-related- tooth Stain — This is a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Dentin naturally yellows over time. The enamel that covers the teeth gets thinner with age, which allows the dentin to show through.

No special tests are needed. Our dentists can diagnose tooth discoloration and stains just by looking at the teeth.

Some tooth discoloration can be removed with professional cleaning. An example would be the stains caused by coffee. Many stains are permanent, however. Teeth sometimes can be whitened with a bleaching gel. In some cases, if the discoloration is severe, a crown or veneer may be required to cover it.

Brushing your teeth after every meal will help to prevent some stains. Regular cleanings by a dental hygienist also will help to prevent surface stains.

Intrinsic stains that are caused by damage to a nerve or blood vessel in a tooth sometimes can be prevented. You may need to have root canal treatment to remove the inner part of the tooth (the pulp) before it has a chance to decay and darken. However, teeth that undergo root canal treatment may darken anyway. To prevent intrinsic stains in children, avoid over exposure to fluorides at a young age and always encourage your children not to swallow their toothpaste.

Whitening methods-

Discoloration often can be removed by applying a whitening agent to the enamel of the teeth. The system we use at Redmond Molloy is the Zoom! whitening system. With this method, a light-activated whitening gel is applied to your teeth. It causes the teeth to get significantly whiter in about 30 to 45 minutes. This method is combined with at home tray to enhance the overall whitening process and effect.

It's also possible to remove intrinsic stain by just having home night time whitening preformed. You will use a whitening gel and a specifically made to fit whitening shield, given to you by our dentists. This means that the process can take longer — usually two to four weeks.

 Whitening toothpastes may remove minor stains but are very abrasive and can cause wear to your teeth long term. They aren't very effective in most cases long term.

Inside out side whitening-

If your tooth has darkened after a root canal, bleaching the enamel alone won't help the dark tooth. Our dentists can apply a bleaching material to the inside of the tooth as well as the outside this is knowm as inside / outside whitening.

 

 

 

 Bleaching will not lighten some stains. In this case, your dentist may recommend covering the discolored areas. This also may be useful when the tooth is chipped or badly damaged.

A tooth can be covered with a color-matched composite bonding material. Another option is to get veneers. These are thin ceramic shells that cover the outer surfaces of the teeth.

 

Tooth discoloration is mainly a cosmetic problem. Call Redmond Molloy if you're unhappy with the appearance of your teeth.

 

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE YOUR STAINED TEETH EXAMINED