Discolored teeth can make you self-conscious. You want to hide your smile instead of showing it off as you should. At Laurel Smiles Dental Care, we provide quality cosmetic surgery in Laurel, MD to make sure you have the beautiful smile that you want. Learn more about the techniques we offer to take care of discolored teeth.
Understanding Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Stains
When it comes to tooth discoloration, it’s helpful to know that not all stains are created equal. Stains can occur on the outer surface of the tooth or stem from deeper within.
Extrinsic stains are the type most people recognize—they come from outside sources like coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco, and deeply pigmented foods. These stains cling to the enamel, the outermost layer of your teeth, and often respond well to professional cleanings or whitening treatments.
Intrinsic stains, on the other hand, are a bit more stubborn. These originate beneath the enamel, typically in the dentin (the inner structure of the tooth). Intrinsic discoloration can result from things like trauma, certain medications, or even the aftermath of root canal treatments. Since these stains are internal, they usually require advanced cosmetic procedures to effectively improve their appearance.
Why Do Teeth Sometimes Darken After a Root Canal?
Not all discoloration happens just on the surface—sometimes, the source is actually inside the tooth. When a tooth needs a root canal, it’s often because there’s been internal damage—maybe from deep decay, or trauma from an accident or a rough game of football. During a root canal, the pulp and nerves inside the tooth are removed and the space is filled and sealed. While this saves the tooth, it can also lead to a shadowy or grayish hue that shows through the enamel over time.
This type of discoloration is different from your everyday coffee or tea stains. Instead, it’s the result of changes within the tooth itself after treatment, making it tricky to whiten using standard over-the-counter products. If you notice a tooth looking darker following a root canal, don’t worry—we have cosmetic solutions designed specifically for cases like yours.
How Internal Decay and Injury Cause Tooth Discoloration
Sometimes, tooth discoloration runs deeper than just surface stains from coffee, tea, or red wine. Internal tooth decay or trauma—say, a rogue elbow during a heated basketball game—can damage the inside of your tooth. When this happens, the pulp (that soft tissue nestled in the center of your tooth) can become compromised. If the pulp is damaged or dies, it may darken, causing the tooth to take on a gray, brown, or even blackish hue.
In many cases, this internal damage means a root canal is needed to remove the affected tissue and protect the rest of the tooth. However, even after treatment, the discoloration can persist, peeking through the enamel. This type of staining doesn’t respond to regular whitening since it’s coming from within—so addressing it often requires specialized cosmetic dental solutions.
Why Do Some Teeth Darken After a Root Canal?
It’s a common worry: after investing time and care into a root canal, you expect a tooth that looks and feels normal. Yet sometimes, you notice a tooth taking on a darker hue, while other root-canaled teeth stay perfectly matched with your natural smile. Why does this happen?
The answer lies in the way each tooth responds to treatment. If tiny amounts of the pulp tissue or traces of blood are left behind inside the tooth, they can break down over time and lead to discoloration. In some cases, certain medications used during the procedure might also contribute to staining the inside of the tooth. And occasionally, the way your body reacts to the surgery can play a role.
On the bright side, with expert cosmetic solutions at our Laurel, MD office, there are reliable ways to bring back the uniform, vibrant smile you want—no matter what twists your tooth’s journey has taken so far.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening is much preferred over over the counter whitening products. Over the counter whitening systems often come in one size fits all, leading to uneven whitening. It can also lead to the bleaching agent getting on your gums and causing issues with sensitivity. Professional whitening helps to prevent that.
We offer both in-office and take-home whitening treatments. The in-office version is great for getting a whiter smile quickly, such as for an event. A bleaching agent is painted onto the teeth, with guards to prevent it from getting on the gums. A special light is used to activate the bleaching agent. In about an hour, you will have a smile up to eight shades whiter!
Take-home whitening is used to whiten your teeth gradually and for touchups after in-office whitening. We will take impressions of your teeth to create custom whitening trays. The bleaching agent is evenly spread in the trays and you wear them for a few hours every night. As the weeks go by, you will see your smile whitening to the shade you are looking for.
Porcelain Veneers
For a more permanent whitening solution, as well as if you have stains resistant to traditional treatment, porcelain veneers are perfect. Usually from certain medications, you can get stubborn stains that resist traditional treatment. Porcelain veneers are made of a thin shell of dental ceramic that goes over the front and sides of your tooth. They can cover the entire tooth that’s stained.
Porcelain veneers are ideal because they are durable and stain-resistant. They are a permanent solution for stains on your teeth. They can be color-matched to the rest of your smile and are shaped and sized to blend in seamlessly. Veneers can be placed on a number of teeth or just certain ones that are impacted.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is an economically sound choice, as well as a solid alternative to porcelain veneers if you are not ready for a permanent solution. The bonding material is a biocompatible resin. This resin can be molded and shaped to fit whatever tooth has discoloration. The resin can also be color-matched to the rest of your smile or made to be as white as you would like.
Dental bonding can be done in a quick visit to your dentist. The surface of your tooth is prepared for the resin to adhere to. The resin is painted onto your tooth, shaped to your liking. Once you are happy with the result, a special light is used to harden the resin. It’s polished so that it matches the natural sheen of the rest of your smile.
Cosmetic Dentistry in Laurel, Maryland
Are you ready to get a whiter smile? Call us or schedule an appointment online.