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Dark Tooth (After Accident)
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Dark Tooth (After Accident)
Overview
What Types of Dental Trauma Cause Stained Teeth?
Dental trauma refers to any injury to the teeth, gums, and surrounding tissue.
These types of injuries often occur during falls, sport activities, motor vehicle accidents, or during physical altercations.
Any injury that affects the integrity of the tooth or the surrounding tissue can cause the tooth to become discolored.
Why Is My Tooth Turning Grey?
Dental trauma is the most common cause of a grey tooth.
Similar to your knee turning black and blue after a fall, your teeth can also become discolored following an injury.
A tooth turning grey following an injury is a sign that the tooth is not receiving adequate blood flow.
In some cases, the tooth will heal itself; however, it is common for the tooth to remain discolored or even die.
Depending on the type of damage, treatment may involve a root canal to remove the dead tissue and bleaching or cosmetic restorations to improve the color of the tooth.
Common types of dental injuries include:
- Tooth chips or fractures
- Luxated or dislodged teeth
- Avulsed or missing teeth
- Root fractures
The best way to prevent a discolored tooth caused by trauma is to take appropriate safety precautions, such as wearing a helmet or mouthguard when engaging in high-risk activities.
If you experience a facial injury, you should see a dentist as soon as possible. Even if a tooth is knocked out, it may be possible to save it if you seek treatment right away.
Will I Experience Tooth Discoloration After Root Canal Treatment?
Some, but not all, patients experience tooth staining or discoloration after root canal treatment.
There are several reasons why this might occur:
- Dental staining following a root canal most often occurs when some of the pulp tissue is left inside the tooth. The tissue eventually starts to decompose and discolor the tooth.
- The discoloration can be caused by the medications used to treat the infection inside the canals.
- Staining can also occur when some of the materials used to fill the canals are left in the crown of the tooth.
The most common treatments for this type of discoloration include internal bleaching, crowns, and veneers.