Dr. Derek Conover offers many options to treat stained and discolored teeth. Since the smile is the first thing most people notice, having a bright, white smile is considered important. Even if your stained teeth are healthy, white teeth often give the impression of dental health.
Teeth whitening is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to transform your smile. Our teeth whitening procedures can be completed in at least one hour with incredible results. Discolored teeth are a common dental concern that many patients have.
Causes of Discolored Teeth
- Foods and drinks such as coffee, teas, colas, and wines
- Tobacco: Smoking or other tobacco products
- Poor dental hygiene: Neglecting to brush or floss
- Disease: For example, head and neck radiation, chemotherapy, and certain infections contracted during pregnancy
- Age
- Genetics
- Environment: Excessive fluoride levels in water, for example
Treatment for Stained Teeth
It is relatively easy to bleach or whiten teeth to restore them to a brighter, more aesthetically pleasing color. Depending on your needs and goals, our dental care team may recommend one or a combination of the following.
Teeth Whitening/Deep Bleaching
Deep bleaching offers significant teeth whitening for patients with very dark teeth or tetracycline staining. It uses a combination of two to three in-office bleaching treatments and take-home treatments. Oxygen from the deep bleaching gel is absorbed deeply into the tooth, dissolving stains with long-lasting results.
Dr. Conover performed a deep bleaching treatment on Robert’s teeth to dramatically improve the brightness of his smile.
Cosmetic Bonding
Cosmetic bonding may be used to repair a discolored tooth. This simple procedure involves applying a tooth-colored resin to the affected tooth. The bonding material is sculpted into the desired shape to hide many teeth imperfections, including discolored teeth. Bonding requires no preparation and is among the easiest and least expensive ways to improve your smile.
Porcelain Restorations
Porcelain crowns can also correct discolored teeth. A dental crown covers the entire tooth like a cap. They can hide the stained tooth and give it extra strength. Crowns are custom-made restorations that require at least two visits to our Philadelphia dentist office.
Porcelain veneers are also a great way to disguise dark, stained teeth. We often use this treatment option when teeth whitening is unsuccessful. They are thin, custom-made shells that fit right over the tooth and are cemented into place for a strong bond.
They can instantly brighten any smile. Porcelain veneers are highly stain-resistant and have similar light-reflecting properties to natural teeth. They offer a longer-lasting cosmetic restoration of anterior teeth. If you are concerned about discolored teeth, contact Dr. Conover for a consultation. We can create a customized plan to help you achieve a whiter, brighter, younger-looking smile.
Stained Teeth FAQs
What causes stains on teeth?
Some foods and beverages, including coffee, tea, dark sodas, red wine, and even some fruits and vegetables, stain teeth. Cigarettes and chewing tobacco also have the potential to cause tooth stains. Tooth discoloration can also result from poor oral hygiene.
What are the types of tooth discoloration?
There are two types of teeth staining: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains typically appear yellow and spread across the entire tooth’s outer surface. Intrinsic staining occurs on the tooth’s inner layer, making intrinsic staining harder to reverse than extrinsic.
Can a hygienist remove brown stains?
A professional hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth, removing all traces of plaque and brown staining. Teeth whitening is also one of the most popular options to remove brown staining.
Is staining on teeth harmful?
Stains that don’t come off after brushing are essentially bacteria that live in the mouth, which can lead to respiratory problems, periodontal disease, and other health issues. It is important to keep your teeth clean and free of bacteria.
Can teeth have permanent stains?
Surface enamel discoloration is reversible. Your dentist can provide stain removal and professional teeth whitening. Most stains are not permanent, but some are too deep for traditional methods. Intrinsic tooth stains are permanent tooth discolorations due to the natural aging process or side effects of medications. Internal factors, such as poor oral hygiene or genetics, cause these stains, which can lead to the yellowing or darkening of teeth.
What foods are most likely to stain teeth?
Coffee, tea, soda, soy sauce, and ketchup are among the foods most likely to cause teeth staining. You should brush your teeth after consuming these or avoid them altogether.
Philadelphia-based Dr. Conover is welcoming new and out-of-town patients. Call us at (215) 395-6076 to schedule a consultation to determine the best type of treatment for you.