Dark tooth?

Single dark tooth - What can be done?

A single dark tooth?
Are you fed up with a poor smile because of a single dark tooth?
Are you concerned about the need for a crown or a veneer?
Then read on:

But first ....

If you have a single dark tooth ( perhaps more than one) then it may already have been root-filled or it may have died and require a root filling to save it. In any event it should be checked to be sure that it isn't hiding an abscess underneath it.

So once successfully treated , even some years ago, how can the darkened tooth can be brought back to a very acceptable colour?


Traditionally crowns were made. These may still be the best answer but it is quite destructive and relatively high cost. Another solution could be a veneer. This is less destructive but uses a thin layer of porcelain ( like a false finger-nail) to cover over the dark tooth. These can be very effective but not by themselves if the tooth is very dark.

"Inside/outside" or "Walking bleaching".
A simple and often less costly technique

This is how it is done ....

The actual technique has changed in recent years. Here is how its done:

• An impression is used to make a plaster model of your teeth
• A personalised soft vinyl cover (" bleaching tray") is made which snugly & comfortably fits over your teeth.
• Painlessly, a small access hole is made in the back of the dead tooth or an old filling is removed.
• You will be given instructions on how to apply the special safe bleaching gel to the teeth and the bleaching tray.
• You go home and change the bleaching gel every 2 hours (best done on a Friday and over the weekend). No need to get up during the night.
• After a day or two (depending on how dark it was to start with) the tooth will change to a much lighter colour.
• The hole in the back of the tooth is repaired with a white filling.

Caution

If the dark tooth already has filling work on the front of it, the filling material will not change colour so it will need replacing to match the new shade.

Here is a link to one of the World's leading expert's on tooth bleaching, Dr. Linda Greenwall where she describes some methods in more detail. Detailed description

Follow this link for more details and a consultation about your dark tooth . It will make a dramatic difference to your smile!