Looking inside the matter

There’s new hope for stained and discolored teeth. Most people know that for teeth that have lost their brightness due to smoking and consuming tooth-staining foods like berries, red wine, coffee, and tea, they can have their teeth whitened in the convenience of their home using our take-home kit. This is called extrinsic staining because the cause is external – from the outside of the tooth.

But what many people don’t know is that we have the means right here at our practice to whiten teeth that have been discolored because of intrinsic influences – those that affect the tooth color from inside. We call this technique “deep bleaching.”

What would discolor a tooth from the inside? Fluorosis is caused by excessive intake of fluorine (fluoride) while teeth were developing, characterized by brown pigmentation or enamel that is flat gray or that has white mottling or spots.

Root canal treatment in which diseased pulp from inside a tooth is removed and the cavity is filled, can be characterized by dark discoloration. Some medicines will cause discoloration on many levels from light yellow to brown or gray, often with “banding.”

Most of us have smiles that could use a whitening boost. If you’re one, no matter the origin of discoloration, call us! We will help you choose which whitening technique is best for you.