Tooth Discolouration After Trauma – Why It Happens And Your Treatment Options Explained

12 August 2024

Tooth Discolouration After Trauma – Why It Happens And Your Treatment Options Explained

Experiencing trauma to your teeth can be a distressing event, and one of the unexpected consequences that might arise is tooth discolouration. While many people associate stained or darkened teeth with dietary habits or ageing, tooth discolouration after trauma is a unique and often misunderstood issue.

How does trauma cause discolouration?

While tooth enamel is the strongest substance in the human body, it’s not impervious to damage. If you’ve had a fall, been hit in the face, or suffered some other form of trauma, you may find your tooth changing colour. Indeed, the colour can range from light grey to brown to black and can be likened to the transformation that takes place on the skin when you get a bruise.

Why does this happen?

Contrary to the common misconception that teeth are solid and composed of a single material, they are instead formed from several distinct layers. Much like bone marrow lies at the centre of bones, the core of a tooth consists of pulp.

Within the dental pulp lies a mass of connective tissues containing the nerves and blood vessels. These support tooth health and sit directly beneath a layer of dentin. Should you develop an oral infection or a cavity, it’s the nerves that cause you pain and it’s the pulp that’s removed when you undergo root canal treatment. Essentially, the dental pulp is what we call the living part of a tooth.

When a tooth is damaged by deep decay or a blow to the jaw, the blood vessels within the pulp are often affected since they can’t get the blood they require to keep the tooth healthy. This causes the interior of the tooth to darken and change colour.

The darkening doesn’t happen right away. Instead, it builds up gradually over days or even months. It’s vital not to let your tooth reach a point where it appears extremely dark or even black. This implies the tooth is dying and you must contact a dentist before this happens if you wish to save it.

While you may not be concerned about slight discolouration, we recommend you make an appointment with your dentist nonetheless so they can carry out an examination.

A traumatised tooth can be painful and also look unsightly, but fortunately, you don’t have to live with it. The experienced team at Cheadle Hulme Dental offer a variety of treatments to heal any damage caused by trauma while carefully restoring the colour of your tooth.

Tooth discolouration after trauma – treatment options

Our dentists offer a variety of tooth discolouration treatments for tooth trauma patients depending on the underlying cause.

While extrinsic (outer staining) usually caused by food or tobacco can be removed by professional teeth whitening, in many cases, bleaching agents are unable to penetrate the enamel sufficiently to reach discolouration caused by tooth trauma.

Luckily, there are other alternatives available to restore your smile. These include:

Composite bonding

This treatment, also known as dental bonding, involves applying tooth-coloured composite resin (the same substance used for white fillings) to the surface of the affected tooth to conceal areas of discolouration. Once the composite has been applied and smoothed to create a level surface, it’s cured with a special blue light to harden it.

Composite bonding is a more affordable option when compared to alternatives such as crowns and veneers and should last up to 5 to 7 years before it needs re-touching. However, it’s important to note that just like natural teeth, composite bonding can stain and is not as durable as porcelain veneers. If you have several discoloured teeth, composite bonding may not be the best option.

Porcelain veneers

Another option for curing tooth discolouration after trauma is dental veneers. These consist of thin shells of porcelain permanently affixed to the front surface of the teeth. Once attached they camouflage discolouration as well as other flaws such as chipped or misshapen teeth.

At Cheadle Hulme Dental, we use a special form of veneers called Lumineers. Unlike traditional veneers, Lumineers are ultra-thin but sturdy and because very little tooth preparation is required, they are a reversible treatment. Lumineers can last between 10 and 20 years dependent on proper care, good oral hygiene, and a healthy lifestyle.

Dental crowns  

A dental crown is typically used to restore chipped, broken, or teeth left weakened following root canal treatment but it can also be used to camouflage tooth discolouration caused by trauma. Modern crowns are custom-designed, shaped and colour-matched to your surrounding teeth for a seamless solution and can be fabricated from various materials including porcelain and porcelain-fused-to-metal. Using durable materials like those listed above allows you to cover up any discolouration while simultaneously protecting the tooth.

Feel good about your smile

If you’ve noticed tooth discolouration after trauma and you want to do something about it, contact the friendly team at Cheadle Hulme Dental & Cosmetics. We offer multiple options to help restore your smile and make you feel more confident in its appearance.

Call 0161 486 0743 or use our online booking system to schedule an appointment today.