A common cause of a dark spot on teeth is trauma or injury to the tooth. If you notice staining or dark spots on your tooth after it has been injured, you should see the dentist as soon as possible. This type of discoloration can indicate damage to the tooth’s interior.
Why Would My Tooth to Become Discolored after Trauma?
Trauma to the tooth can cause damage to the tooth’s soft interior. This interior, called the pulp, is made up of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. The pulp serves to keep the tooth alive by supplying vital nutrients and allowing the tooth to transmit sensations of temperature and pressure.
Because the pulp is made up of soft, vulnerable tissues, it can easily become damaged when the tooth is subjected to trauma. If the tooth is partially dislodged, cracked, chipped, or broken, it is very likely that the pulp will also be damaged. This causes bleeding in the pulp, which can be seen as a dark brown or black spot through the dentin and enamel that make up the tooth’s hard exterior.
Treatment for Damage to the Tooth Pulp
If you notice dark spot on the teeth, you should consult your dentist about the most appropriate form of treatment. If the tooth pulp has been damaged, or if bacteria have entered the tooth’s soft interior, you might require a root canal procedure. Also called root canal therapy, this treatment removes the damaged or infected tissue to prevent infection from spreading to other areas of the mouth.
To perform a root canal, your dentist drills a hole in the tooth, then uses special files to remove the infected tissue and to smooth out the interior surfaces of the tooth. The cavity is then thoroughly cleaned and sterilized, and then is filled with a special, sterile substance. Afterwards, the hole in the tooth is treated with a regular filling, and the tooth itself is treated with a dental crown so that it can be used normally.
If you have more questions about your personal treatment, contact our office today!