Cosmetic Dentist in Whitby | GT Dental Centre
Tooth discoloration is the most common imperfection in the appearance of a smile. Fortunately for everyone, teeth stains can also be the easiest blemishes to address.
Cosmetic dentistry treatments can eliminate or mask imperfections, depending on each patient’s unique needs. When it comes to tooth stains, it’s all about treating the specific type of discoloration.
What are tooth stains?
When it comes to your teeth, there are a few main types of discoloration:
- Intrinsic stains
- Extrinsic stains
- Age-related discoloration
All types of stains can be pretty unsightly and, in most cases, don’t pose a severe threat to your oral health. The best thing is to consult with your professional cosmetic dentist in Whitby to help diagnose what type of stain you have. If it is mild enough when dealing with discoloration, you may schedule an appointment for a tooth whitening procedure. But let’s first look at the details of each stain.
What are Extrinsic Stains?
Extrinsic stains are surface stains on the outer layer of your teeth or the enamel. This enamel is a semi-translucent layer of highly-resilient mineral crystals protecting your teeth from damage and bacterial infection.
Your tooth enamel may be stained by everyday foods and drinks, smoking, and poor oral hygiene. From your morning cup of coffee to your glass of red wine at dinner, all have the potential to cause extrinsic staining, especially as we get older.
What are Intrinsic Stains?
Intrinsic stains are on the inside of the teeth and happen when the dentin becomes discolored. Intrinsic tooth stains are more permanent than extrinsic stains. The discoloration can be caused by an injury to the mouth, the use of certain types of medications, or overexposure to fluoride.
Intrinsic tooth stains are harder to treat because they do not respond to teeth whitening the way extrinsic stains do. When the dentin becomes darker, there is a possibility of a more serious problem than just discolored teeth. Your dental professional should evaluate intrinsic stains for tooth decay or other oral health issues.
What is Age-Related Discoloration?
As the teeth age, they are more susceptible to staining and discoloration. The age-related discoloration is usually just a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic discoloration. Patients with age-related discoloration may improve with a traditional teeth whitening treatment. Still, if the intrinsic discoloration is severe, they may be better suited to treatments such as dental bonding or veneers.
What is the Treatment for Tooth Stains?
Because extrinsic stains are on the outer enamel of the teeth, a whitening treatment is the best option to consider. Remember that over-the-counter home whitening products like whitening toothpaste or even whitening strips will only remove minor stains.
With intrinsic stains, treatment will be more in-depth. For instance, you might require internal bleaching or a root canal treatment if the pulp has severe tooth decay.
Or you may opt for cosmetic dentistry treatments that “cover-up” the discoloration. Patients may choose porcelain veneers, dental crowns, or dental bonding depending on the severity of the stains and how many teeth are affected. These are excellent solutions that give you permanent white teeth and a confident smile.
Contact a Cosmetic Dentist in Whitby, Ontario
Give us a call at GT Dental Centre, your cosmetic dentist in Whitby, for a consultation. Dr. Thoms will evaluate your teeth and choose the best option for your unique teeth.
