The pros and cons of whitening a dead tooth


Ways to whiten a dead tooth

After the nerve is removed, the enamel color of the dead tooth may differ from the others. Although canal filling methods are not currently used, as a result of which the enamel radically changes color (for example, the resorcinol-formalin method), darkening still occurs over time after the pulp is removed. Whitening a dead tooth is often difficult to do at home; you have to seek help from a dentist.

Why does a unit without pulp darken?

A tooth without a nerve darkens because its nutrition stops. Moisture leaves the enamel of the teeth, it becomes fragile and changes color over time. “Ones” and “twos” darken especially quickly because they have a thinner layer of enamel and dentin.

The enamel of a dead tooth absorbs dyes well, which are found in many types of food and drinks. It can darken when consuming coloring foods such as coffee, red wine, and beets.

When asked whether it is possible to whiten a dead, darkened tooth, dentists answer in the affirmative. There are various methods of teeth whitening. The choice of method depends on the duration of treatment, the method of filling the canals, the color and quality of the enamel of the remaining teeth.

Whitening dead teeth

You can whiten a dead tooth yourself at home. But when using traditional methods, there is a risk of making them even more fragile and damaging nearby teeth. Therefore, it is better to contact a specialist with this problem.

If we are not talking about prosthetics and the patient wants a slight color change, standard whitening is used using a gel based on hydrogen peroxide and an ultraviolet lamp. Before whitening, a procedure is performed to clean teeth from plaque. There are other methods of chemical bleaching (without using ultraviolet light), but this method is the most commonly used. Under the influence of light, enamel with gel applied to it can change its color and become several shades lighter.

Whitening a dead tooth: is it possible to whiten a darkened tooth and how to do it correctly

Dead teeth are those that do not have nerves inside. The surface of such a process is more prone to the appearance of stains on the enamel. It is more difficult to bleach a pulpless process than a normal one. Hydrogen peroxide-based gel is often used for this.

The composition is applied to the enamel and left there for 1-2 hours. Additional methods can also be used - ultraviolet light or LED lamps to release oxygen from the paste, which whitens the surface. There are also other methods of whitening.

Why does a unit without pulp darken?

Teeth whitening is not a mandatory procedure for a person. It is often done at the request of the patient so that he has a more attractive smile. Usually, the processes located in the front are bleached, since they are noticeable.

A dead tooth is one in which the pulp has been removed. In such a unit there are no nerves inside and no blood vessels. With the help of these elements, a person can feel pain when dental diseases occur.

When there are no living tissues left inside the process, it does not receive nutrition. Such units will no longer be able to function normally and darken over time. The consequences can be noticed within 30 days after the endings are removed. The shoot will begin to weaken and dry out. Its surface will become porous.

A molar without recharge will be vulnerable to various infections. Various coloring components from food penetrate into it, as the enamel becomes like a sponge. Over time, it will darken and will be a different color from other teeth. In this case, restoration is carried out with ordinary gel.

There are also other options when the molar darkens from the inside. This also happens due to the removal of the pulp. Nerves have to be removed when treating caries. This can damage the vessels inside the appendix, causing bleeding there.

As a result, the molar loses its original color. In this case, the gel will not help, since it can only affect the upper layers of enamel.

Whitening dead teeth

It is worth noting that this procedure cannot always be performed at home, even when using modern techniques. Such a person runs the risk of completely losing the appendage. You should immediately contact your dentist, who will choose the best whitening option. The procedure should be carried out so as not to damage the molars located nearby.

Typically, special gels are used for whitening, which can penetrate the enamel and activate chemical reactions there. Such gels contain an active component - hydrogen peroxide. You need to work with such substances carefully, as you can damage not only the enamel, but also the mucous membrane.

Therefore, these procedures should be performed in the dentist’s office. It is the doctor who will select the optimal concentration of peroxide, which will help get rid of the yellow color and will not damage the appendix.

Preparation for the procedure

Initially, the doctor takes an x-ray. Then the mucous membrane in the mouth and gums are treated. They are coated with varnish to protect them from the gel. Next, the mixture is applied to the damaged molar. In order for it to actively start working, it is exposed to laser or ultraviolet light.

If darkening of the teeth occurs due to internal hemorrhage in the canals, then the doctor must initially clean them. This may require opening them. Next, the active substance is injected into the canals and a filling is placed.

So a person can pass a certain time until the color of the enamel becomes natural. Then a permanent filling is placed.

Complications

In some cases, the whitening procedure can cause negative consequences. The following are common:

  • Irritation of soft tissues in the mouth.
  • Fractures of weakened appendages when eating solid foods. Do you feel nervous before visiting the dentist?YesNo
  • Return of pigmentation.

Contraindications

Teeth whitening using these methods should be avoided in the following cases:

  1. During lactation.
  2. If the body is hypersensitive to the components of the gel.
  3. For inflammation of the gums.
  4. For dental diseases in the mouth.

Effective methods

Other techniques can be used to give the tooth a natural color.

Veneers

During this procedure, the surface of the molar is covered with plates. They are called veneers and come in the following types:

  • Composite. Will last 5 years. They are inexpensive.
  • Ceramic. Made from porcelain. Gives the tooth surface a natural color. Durable and can last a long time.

Carrying out the procedure:

  1. A plate of the required size and shade is selected.
  2. The upper part of the enamel is removed from the damaged process.
  3. Veneers are milled into the desired shape according to the impression.
  4. The plates are fixed with a special solution.

Contraindications:

  • Large destruction of units in the mouth.
  • Malocclusion.
  • Bruxism.

When deciding to whiten your teeth in this way, you must remember that you will need to wear veneers for the rest of your life, since before they are installed, the unit is ground down, and therefore it will not be possible to return it to its previous appearance.

Crowns

Installing crowns is another method of tooth restoration. Doctors give more preference to this method, as it has the following advantages:

  1. Protects the entire surface of the molar from external negative influences.
  2. Without pulp, enamel becomes fragile. The crown protects it from fractures.
  3. The load when chewing solid food is evenly distributed.
  4. The root is preserved.

Crowns can be made from different materials. They are:

  1. Metal. Made from titanium or steel. They have an aesthetic appearance and are cheap.
  2. Metal-ceramic. Durable and inexpensive. When worn for a long time, the metal may become visible through the ceramic.
  3. Zirconium. Modern models. Made from a composite based on photographs.
  4. Ceramic. They do not differ from natural enamel. They are inexpensive.

Dentists say that the optimal crown for most patients is zirconium. It can preserve tooth tissue underneath, is durable and reliable.

Endobleaching

This technique is used in cases where it is impossible to change the color of the enamel in other ways. The basis is that a sodium-based substance is injected into the crown.

Stages:

  • Cleaning the surface of the units using a professional method.
  • Removing the old filling and cleaning the canals.
  • Introducing the bleaching agent.
  • Installation of a new filling.

It is not possible to completely whiten the surface of a molar in one go. The patient will have to visit the dentist's office 3-4 times. After the enamel acquires a natural color, a new filling is placed. The results of such whitening can last for the first 2-3 years. Then the procedure must be repeated again.

Flaws:

  1. The results of whitening are difficult to predict. It will be clear after the entire procedure is completed.
  2. The enamel will be white, but dull.

Contraindications:

  • Caries.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Allergy.
  • Gum pathologies.
  • Photopolymer fillings.

Restoration at home

Not everyone can visit a dentist to whiten their enamel. Not everyone has such an opportunity and desire. Therefore, in some cases, whitening can be done at home.

You can use mouthguards for this. These are original covers for teeth made of plastic or silicone. These trays are filled with gel and placed on the teeth.

Other techniques can also be used. They are used in conjunction with clinical procedures. When a patient consults a doctor, he applies a paste to his surface, which contains hydrogen peroxide and sodium.

This composition must be carried for a certain time, and then consult a doctor again. The technique is effective if the darkening is small.

Complications

You need to be aware of some complications that may arise after chemical lightening:

  • insufficient change in the color of the tooth with the nerve removed - it continues to stand out from the rest, although the enamel has changed its shade and has become whiter;
  • the fragility of the result with frequent consumption of coloring foods and drinks;
  • fragility of dead teeth - peroxide-based gel aggressively affects the enamel, and in some cases it may begin to deteriorate, crumble or crack;
  • During bleaching, the gums are irritated, so if you have problems with them (periodontitis, gingivitis), bleaching is not recommended.

If tooth whitening fails

In-canal bleaching is a very effective procedure, but even it does not always give the desired result.

What factors can complicate whitening or even make it impossible:

  1. Intra-canal whitening is a very effective procedure, but even it does not always give the desired result. Color of teeth. Determined by the Vita scale: teeth in groups A and D (gray and red-gray) are less amenable to whitening.
  2. Transparency of enamel. Transparent enamel looks darker even after bleaching.
  3. Enamel integrity. Artificial pigments penetrate through microcracks on the surface of the tooth and mix with natural ones. A high concentration of foreign dyes may prevent complete whitening of the enamel.
  4. Time of color change. If a tooth has changed color a long time ago, it will be more difficult to whiten it, especially if the cause of pigmentation is the removal or death of the pulp.
  5. Tetracycline staining. Color changes occur through complex chemical reactions, so the results of exposure to bleach can be unpredictable.
  6. Uneven pigmentation. Spots and streaks are less susceptible to whitening, and the color of the enamel after the procedure may not remain uniform (for example, the tip of the tooth may remain yellow).

When diagnosing, the doctor must assess how effective the procedure will be in a particular case and inform the patient. In some cases, it is better to use combined methods, for example, combining intracanal whitening with external one.

Important: during whitening, drinking drinks that affect the color of the enamel can negate the entire effect of the procedure!

Effective methods

The whitening procedure does not always give the desired result. You can whiten a dead tooth that has darkened using more effective methods. These methods include intra-canal bleaching (endo-bleaching), the use of veneers and crowns.

Crowns

For chewing teeth, as well as severely damaged front teeth, when it is impossible to install a veneer, a more durable restoration option is used - prosthetics with a crown. A crown can preserve the root and protect it from negative influences.

Doctors often advise performing prosthetics immediately after removing the nerve, without waiting for the color to change. The crown will not allow destruction to begin and will protect against the appearance of cracks and chips. A tooth that is cracked below the gum level can no longer be restored; it is removed and an implant is installed. A crown allows you to preserve the root for many years and avoid implantation with possible complications.

The natural appearance of crowns depends on the material from which they are made. The most aesthetically pleasing are crowns with a zirconium dioxide frame and ceramic veneer. They have the same transparency as a tooth. Thanks to this, zirconia-based crowns are invisible in the mouth. Metal-free ceramics are also used, but they are not as durable because they do not have a solid metal frame.

Metal-ceramic crowns made of base metals also look aesthetically pleasing in the mouth, but stand out a little due to their opacity. They can be used for prosthetics if the patient is not allergic to metals and has low aesthetic requirements. Metal-ceramic crowns are inexpensive and, with proper care, last for many years.

Sometimes the crown frame is made of a noble metal, such as gold, and the top is lined with ceramics. The aesthetics are the same as those of crowns made of base metal, but allergies are excluded, and the service life of the crowns is longer.

Veneers

Veneers are used for front teeth where most of the surface has been preserved. A veneer is a thin plate of ceramic or composite material that is fixed to the front surface. The color of the plate is matched to the natural color of the enamel so that the veneer does not stand out in the mouth.

The use of veneers allows you to get rid of the problem of darkening, as well as improve the natural shape of the front teeth, if it is not naturally perfect.

Porcelain veneers are more durable than composite veneers, but they are also more expensive. When using a ceramic veneer, the grinding is greater than during the installation of a composite veneer, and it is no longer possible for the tooth to subsequently return to its previous shape without prosthetics. When installing a composite veneer, grinding is minimal, but such veneer is less durable (service life is about 5 years) and can crack.

The extended tooth has darkened, what should I do?

Hello! 3 years ago I broke the central upper incisor, the nerve was removed and the tooth was extended, but over time it darkened. Your teeth are snow-white, but the extensions are very different. What do you advise?

Good afternoon. In your case, I would recommend two options that will meet your expectations. You can do:

Both options are acceptable in this situation; you need to see a dentist to assess the situation and make a decision.

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I had a front tooth augmented. Six months later, a dark small dot appeared on it, nothing hurts, it’s annoying only because it’s visible. I'm afraid that I'll have to file the tooth down and build it up again. What is this? How to fix this? Answer

You need to contact a dentist-therapist. There may have been a tear in the composite, or a piece of the composite may have broken off, causing staining from food coloring. The doctor will clean it, perhaps sand it a little and partially restore it with a composite. Answer

General dentist

3 years ago, the nerve on the front tooth was removed, and at the moment it is very dark, it’s even scary to smile. What should I do about it? Tell me what to do and how much this procedure will cost approximately? Answer

There are several methods to restore the aesthetics of a pulpless tooth. The simplest and most inexpensive is restoration (therapeutic veneer); it will also be very beautiful to restore a tooth with veneers or a metal-free crown. I recommend that you make an appointment with us in person; after examination and diagnosis, we can talk about the most suitable method. Answer

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I recently had my 2 front teeth grown. They told me not to use dyes for 3 weeks, and my toothpaste is SPLAT medicinal herbs, green. Could this somehow affect the color of my teeth extensions? Answer

I think no. And a month is too long for restrictions on dyes. Usually you will be able to fully not limit yourself for 4-5 days. Answer

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The gap between the teeth was sealed. As a result, the nerve was removed and the tooth was almost completely cut out from the inside. The tooth has darkened and is very different from its neighbors. Which method is better to use? Get veneers? Or ceramics? I want to immediately get both teeth in order. Answer

The simplest, fastest and most inexpensive method is restoration, or rather a therapeutic composite veneer. If the 21 tooth is alive, you can also install orthopedic veneers; if not, then metal-free crowns based on E-max or zirconium. Make an appointment with me for an in-person appointment, I will tell you everything in detail. Answer

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I have long wanted to write about this wonderful, simple and cheap method of teeth whitening. It will be especially relevant for people who have had their teeth extended and they have darkened or turned yellow over time. It’s just that my front teeth are built up, and one tooth is built up only on the edge, and over time, everything that can accumulate gets clogged and accumulated in this edge, and even the most sophisticated toothbrush cannot clean it out. As a result, it looks like I have something on my teeth, which of course is not pleasant, especially when others tell you about it. Dentists shrug their shoulders, suggesting that they just remove and build up this edge again, which of course will not solve the problem. That’s how I described the situation and, as you understand, something more creative was needed here than whitening pastes and brushes.

The method itself is very simple, by the way, I actually learned about it by watching on YouTube how a girl whitens her teeth this way, although she has them all healthy. From the words of this English-speaking girl, not everything was clear, she spoke too quickly) fortunately, she clearly showed everything, rubbed the peel on her teeth, twirled a little in front of the camera and removed the remnants with an ordinary napkin. I also searched the Internet about this method and barely found a couple of tiny articles, not even articles.

Well, just take a banana peel and rub the inside of the peel into your teeth, leave it for a couple of minutes, then rinse and brush your teeth as usual. This needs to be done in the morning and evening. The result will be noticeable in a couple of weeks. You can rub it in before and after brushing your teeth, this is according to the notes, personally, I first rinse my teeth with water, rub in a banana, that is. I wait for its peel for 2 minutes, again but I rinse my mouth thoroughly because... the banana turns black on the teeth after 2 minutes and sometimes even earlier and it seems that the teeth will turn black along with the banana and not whiten and I brush my teeth in the normal way.

I don’t know what this depends on, I took bananas both at the market and in different stores, but some bananas don’t turn black on my teeth until the very end, while others almost immediately, and then I immediately wash everything off and clean it.

One banana lasted me 2 days . As you know, banana peels are removed in four equal strips, and I only got one strip of peel at a time. So it turned out to be one banana for two days or two mornings and two evenings. As you can see, it's quite inexpensive.

I used this method for over a month. A piece of my fake tooth was almost completely whitened, and all because, as you know, the banana was rubbed in and easily got under this filled surface of the tooth and cleaned everything there!!

As for the rest of the teeth: the fully grown ones didn’t seem to have whitened at all, mine were a little, although my sister said that my teeth had whitened well, it was noticeable, but that’s up to you to judge, the photos turned out terrible and the quality wasn’t so great, as soon as I didn’t struggle I couldn’t convey the final result it seems.

The only negative is that over time, the “favorite tooth” began to darken again, so the procedure will have to be repeated periodically).

P/S: I still have whitestrips, I’m going to try them out, although of course I don’t expect the strips to penetrate under something like banana pulp)

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In general, the condition of the front teeth greatly affects the aesthetics of your smile. Darkening of the front tooth makes patients want to solve the problem of darkening as quickly as possible - this is a good motivation to visit an endodontist. Especially if you are going to correct your bite using aligners or braces. If a patient’s tooth has darkened, this is a unique and timely motivation to take care of the health of their teeth.

Agree, when even one front tooth has darkened, this is a serious aesthetic problem that affects the eyes of others!

We asked our colleague, chief physician of the German Implantology Center Magomed Dakhkilgov, to talk about the problem of darkened teeth and ways to solve it.

For reference:

Magomed Dakhgilkov - maxillofacial surgeon, implantologist, orthopedist.
The total work experience is more than 20 years, more than 5 thousand dental surgeries have been performed. The doctor who created the German implantology clinics, which today are the best in ratings both in Moscow and in Russia. In his clinics, doctors work exclusively using a microscope and use an analytical approach to dental treatment with maximum preservation of nerve endings. The doctor’s motto is “ The tooth must live
.”

With such incomplete cleaning, the organic residues left inside the tooth (blood, pus, and others) begin to break down and cause darkening of the tooth.

The darkening of the front tooth from the inside can be caused by filling paste and waste products of bacteria that have developed in a poorly sealed canal. This case of tooth darkening is a case of moderate complexity of treatment. That is, darkening of the tooth, or more precisely, a change in its color, may be associated with the condition of the tooth canal, in which inflammation could develop due to incomplete removal of the pulp or leakage of the canal filling during previous treatment.

It is these incorrect materials that lead to a change in tooth color, up to brown shades.

This type of tooth darkening is a difficult case of treatment. Such cases are difficult to treat. Especially if the darkened tooth was treated a long time ago in another clinic. The filling material used to fill a tooth canal can cause darkening under certain conditions.

If your tooth has darkened, a very effective method of solving the problem is the method of internal whitening of the darkened tooth. With this method, the old filling is removed, the tooth canal is cleaned using a microscope, and a whitening substance is placed inside the tooth. After a couple of days, this substance is removed and a filling is placed on the tooth. The tooth is lightened - the problem is solved!

As a rule, I re-treat the root canal of a darkened tooth under a microscope, then whiten the tooth from the inside, strengthen it and restore it with a filling. If the outer surface of the enamel is not damaged, the filling can be installed on the inside of the tooth.

Why does such a tooth need to be treated first? If you leave the infection in the tooth canal, the darkening process will continue, and the inflammation will spread to the bone around the root. As a result, the patient may be left without a tooth altogether.

We advise you to read: Methyluracil ointment after tooth extraction

It is the treatment of the tooth under a microscope that is aimed at completely removing the infection from the tooth cavity and root.

The orthodontist will give a medical opinion: braces, veneers or aligners are better for you

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Having beautiful, healthy, white teeth is the dream of every person. However, in reality, we expose them to powerful influences that can make a smile far from white. First of all, the color of teeth is affected by the foods we eat, strong coffee and tea, as well as smoking. All this contributes to a change in the color of the enamel and makes it darker.

However, there are often situations when individual teeth change their color much more than their surroundings. Even minor differences in shade are very noticeable, especially when it comes to the front teeth in the area of ​​a person’s smile. What to do if a tooth has darkened?

Of course, the cause of darkening of an individual tooth can also be the formation of plaque from smoking or the penetration of coloring pigments into the enamel. But a significant difference from the rest in most cases indicates its internal problems. This happens if the tooth darkens after a blow or after removal of a nerve. What to do?

The color of a tooth is affected not only by the color of the enamel, but also by the color of the underlying dentin. If the dentin has changed color, this shade will show through the transparent top layer.

Among the reasons causing darkening are:

  • development of caries, including secondary caries;
  • staining the pulp with materials used to install the filling;
  • X-raying of structures used in crown restoration (pins);
  • injury;
  • pulp necrosis;
  • incorrect treatment.

If a tooth has darkened after an impact, after nerve removal, filling, or other intervention, this can provide information about the likely causes of the changes. Often the tooth darkens after the nerve is removed and the canals are filled. Incorrectly performed endodontic treatment leads to serious consequences.

A dead tooth is one in which the nerves have been removed. Even if the treatment was correct, the pulp deprived of nutrition does not have the ability to recover, as a result of which the enamel becomes dull and becomes more fragile.

If the treatment was poor and traces of organic matter remain in the root canals, the decomposition process will continue, causing the surrounding dentin to become stained. This is why a dead tooth turns dark.

First, if the darkening is caused by internal causes, such as pulp necrosis or improper endodontic treatment, the cause of the problem must be addressed.

An untreated tooth can lead to serious consequences, including complete loss and the spread of infection to healthy neighbors and gums. In such a scenario, treatment will be long and expensive.

Secondly, it is necessary to determine the reasons that caused the darkening. Correctly identifying the source of the problem is an important first step towards solving it.

Therefore, it is necessary to consult a specialist who, based on the anamnesis and clinical picture, will determine the course of action and offer treatment options.

The simplest treatment option in case of darkening due to the development of caries. Then, by completely removing the affected tissue and selecting the correct shade of restoration material, the tooth acquires its original color and does not stand out from others.

In addition, with this scenario, it remains alive, which has a positive effect on the strength of dentin and enamel.

The situation is slightly different in the case when the damage is such that it led to the death of the tooth. A dead tooth with removed nerves requires a special approach to treatment. Since its strength characteristics change, this affects the selection of treatment methods.

Fortunately, advances in dentistry make it possible to use various techniques to restore the whiteness of your smile. There are several main ways:

Is it possible to whiten a dead tooth? The first option that is considered when it is necessary to restore the lost color of the visible part of the crown is endodontic bleaching.

Of all the alternatives, intracanal whitening requires the least intervention in the tooth structure and is simple to perform. Therefore, its advantages include an affordable price - from 1,500 rubles per procedure.

However, this option also has disadvantages , namely:

  • the whitening result is unpredictable and will be visible only after treatment;
  • Several sessions of using the whitening gel may be required;
  • the action of the active agent on dentin weakens its structure and makes the tooth fragile;
  • the bleached tooth remains dull and may differ from its neighbors;
  • There are serious contraindications to whitening.

Here's what the process looks like in detail:

Often, an alternative to in-canal bleaching is direct restoration with composite material . In general terms, this procedure involves the formation of an artificial structure - a filling - the size of the entire visible surface of the tooth.

The advantages include speed of work - restoration can be completed in one visit - and affordable price - from 3,000 rubles. But you need to remember the disadvantages:

  • composite material has a rather short service life;
  • it readily absorbs dyes and quickly loses its attractive appearance;
  • alteration of the restoration affects the integrity of the tooth.

Another option is veneer . This is a very thin translucent ceramic plate that is glued to the visible surface of the darkened tooth.

During the preparation process, a layer of enamel is removed equal in thickness to the structure being manufactured. If done carefully, it is almost impossible to distinguish a tooth with a veneer from a natural one.

At the same time, the processing of the crown for its installation is minimal. Such intervention does not reduce the overall strength of the tooth structure.

The negative properties of veneers include:

  • high cost due to the large volume of work and materials;
  • if the darkening is strong, then it can be visible through the veneer;
  • Veneers are not recommended for use on dead teeth due to their fragility.

Finally, the most radical option is installing an artificial crown . The problematic tooth is ground down, impressions of both jaws are made, and an individual crown is made.

The advantages of this method include reliable protection of the tooth from external influences. When using pins, such a structure will withstand much greater loads than a fragile natural tooth or veneer. In addition, you can correct cosmetic defects if they exist.

Disadvantages of crowns:

  • high price due to expensive materials and large amount of work;
  • several visits to the doctor are required.

As you can see, modern medicine offers a wide range of means to solve the problem of tooth darkening. The main thing is to correctly determine the cause and take into account factors specific to each individual patient.

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A snow-white smile is a dream accessible to everyone with the help of modern whitening methods.

However, it also happens that one tooth suddenly darkens.

Only a qualified dentist can find out the cause of this condition and eliminate it.

Coffee and cigarette smoke usually stain all teeth. If one tooth has darkened, the reason for this may be the following:

  • removal of the pulp (nerve) of a tooth - without nutrition it becomes fragile, the enamel loses its shine and darkens;
  • tooth trauma, often leading to pulp necrosis;
  • the pin installed in the root canal is visible through the enamel;
  • the pulp has taken on the color of the filling material;
  • secondary caries that spreads inside the tooth after improper installation of a filling.

Options for restoring tooth color

If the tooth has darkened, traditional whitening will not be effective. To restore the normal color of a darkened tooth, the dentists of our clinic perform the following manipulations:

  1. In-canal bleaching is an easy-to-perform procedure. The result is recorded only after treatment, so several procedures may be required to completely restore the color of the tooth. Intra-canal whitening weakens the tooth and does not restore its natural shine.
  2. Direct restoration - from a photopolymer material, the color corresponding to healthy teeth, a coating is created over the entire surface of the darkened tooth. It should be taken into account that the photopolymer actively absorbs dyes. This coating has a short service life.
  3. A dental onlay is a thin plate of matching color and size that is attached to the front surface of the tooth. The most commonly used veneers are ceramic or zirconium dioxide. In this case, you can precisely select the color of the lining so that the restored tooth does not differ in shade from your own. At the same time, the tooth does not lose its strength, but this procedure is somewhat more expensive than those listed above.
  4. A crown is most often recommended for darkened dead teeth with the nerve removed. The design is made individually and will require at least two visits to the dentist. The crown not only returns the normal color to the darkened tooth, but also perfectly protects it from destruction, withstanding sufficient loads. Similar structures are installed on both front and back teeth.
  • Treatment of caries at the initial stage and preservation of the pulp.
  • Contact only experienced dentists who fill teeth with precision in compliance with all treatment rules: choosing the optimal treatment method, complete removal of carious tissue to avoid the development of secondary caries, correct selection of filling material.
  • Avoiding dental injury.

In our clinic, tooth enamel color restoration is carried out using high-tech equipment and high-quality materials. Dentists will individually select the optimal treatment option; as a result, the tooth will not stand out in color from the dentition at all.

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Rubber dam (isolation) and anesthesia are paid separately.

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Several years ago there was a trauma to a front tooth. They removed the nerve, installed a silver pin, and filled the canal. The quality of work of doctors in the province, of course, leaves much to be desired. In general, the tooth has darkened. Here I was given advice - to do in-canal bleaching. I ran to the doctor (now, thank God, I live in a metropolis) and asked to whiten the unfortunate front tooth. To which the doctor replied that if there is a pin, intracanal bleaching is not carried out. She advised me not to install a crown or veneer. They say the tooth is still intact and strong, it will be done in time. And the color - well, just think, yellowish. And he is terrible and ugly! The question is, is it possible to RESEAL the canal with more modern materials? Can this at least lighten the tooth a little?! Better yet, is it possible to pull out the silver pin, perform intracanal bleaching, and then fill it with a non-metallic pin?? I found somewhere on the Internet that they do this, but it’s in Moscow. And I'm in St. Petersburg..

Consultation:

Good evening.

To begin with, I want to assure you that all the procedures that you need are carried out in St. Petersburg, there are many good clinics there. I agree with your doctor that in your case, it is better to do intracanal bleaching, since the tooth is intact and it would be a shame to saw it for a crown or veneer.

As for root canal treatment, it’s difficult to say for sure without a photo of the tooth, but I can say with confidence that the pins can be easily removed from the tooth (if only a doctor would like it and an ultrasonic scaler). After this (depending on what appears in the picture), the canal can be treated. In this case, the treatment is carried out through a small hole on the inner surface of the tooth, which does not interfere with your life. This is not visible and is covered with a temporary filling. After filling with in-canal whitening, your tooth color will return. And then a fiberglass pin and filling are placed. That's all the work. It's not that difficult and quite doable. So I think you just need to look for a clinic where they can do this. It’s just that not all clinics are equipped with such materials. that's why they say it's impossible. It is possible and quite doable, there is nothing too scary in your case.

PS: The only thing I would advise you to pay special attention to is the quality of the canal treatment. If everything is serious there, it’s better not to rush and treat it properly (and this takes time. How much? It all depends on the picture and what we see there.) My opinion will be interesting. Load it up, I'll take a look too.

Something like that. Don’t be lazy, go to 5-10 clinics, but find one where they will do everything for you. I'm sure, a little patience, and your tooth will be as good as new :)))

Thank you, Lesya! You made me SO happy. I chose a good and expensive clinic, and the doctor categorically told me that intra-canal bleaching cannot be done with such a pin. So I thought to myself, is it possible to remove this old pin, etc. We took a picture, everything was ok with the channel. There was a tiny cyst at one time, but it looks like it resolved itself or something. It happens? and a couple more questions: will intra-canal whitening last long or will the tooth color no longer change with a fiberglass pin? and most importantly: can the tooth break when the pin is removed?

PS. I'll go to another clinic!

There was a tiny cyst at one time, but it looks like it resolved itself or something. It happens?

It’s unlikely to resolve, or it wasn’t there. or it is there, but it was not noticed this time. One out of two. Without treatment, the cyst cannot disappear on its own - it is a chronic inflammation, and as they say from experience, “it will not resolve on its own.” Therefore, I would really like to see the picture with my own eyes.

Will intra-canal whitening last for a long time or will the color of the tooth no longer change with a fiberglass pin? I cannot say this, since a lot also depends on the material. with which the canal was filled. Therefore, there can be no remote forecasts here.

Can a tooth break when the pin is removed?

If it is not extracted correctly, this is possible. If everything is done correctly and carefully, then no . Therefore, it is important to take a picture of the tooth before you start doing anything. You can use it to evaluate the pin itself. its position, and the thickness of the root walls. But I can say from experience that it is very difficult to break the root when removing the pin - it takes a lot of effort. Therefore, you worry in vain, especially since there are now ultrasonic tips. They easily swing the pin, and it simply flies out of the channel.

Thank you again! Tomorrow I'm going to the dentist. I hope they’ll give me the photo, because they kept it at that clinic.. When I find out everything, I’ll write back! You were absolutely right! I re-read your first message, everything is as you wrote! Thank you!

I'm telling you. Again I found a clinic on the Internet (I won’t name the name, probably not..) Again, everything was at random. And it seems I made the right decision this time! Both the clinic and the staff made the most positive impression! Everything is so detailed. They told, showed, explained. In general, I'm satisfied. Unfortunately, I don’t have the photo in my hands; it’s on the doctor’s computer. But the picture showed a cyst and a rather large one. Treatment was prescribed in 3 stages. The first one was completed yesterday: they removed the pin (as it turned out it wasn’t even a pin, but a small “bolt” that was screwed in completely unnecessarily!), cleaned the canal (they crushed the gutta-percha for a very long time), got to the cyst and its contents.. It’s not a pleasant sight) Then they “filled” the canal with medicine with calcium to treat the cyst and form new bone tissue and told me to come back in three weeks! I hope everything gets better during this time! And then they’ll clean it again, seal the canal, put in “bleach” for a couple of weeks) And at the last stage, a fiberglass pin and a good filling!) It turns out that everything is real! I'm terribly happy.

PS. Just one problem now. The medicine was bright yellow, which is why the tooth is now also yellow, although it looks better than dark

I forgot one more thing. The doctor said that it was the presence of a cyst that led to the darkening of the tooth! Because a cyst is a purulent formation, and pus is an acidic medium, which stains the tooth tissue. The previous doctor did not fill the canal well, leaving a space that caused the formation of a cyst. Here's the story.

You see, it turns out that your tooth can be cured. I'm glad you found such a clinic.

The cyst, of course, complicates the treatment, but I liked your doctor’s approach - I also treat it the same way, in several stages (high-quality treatment of the canals, then medicinal pastes, then a filling and a filling with a fiberglass pin). In general, I am very glad that you have found a good doctor, and I congratulate you on that.

Good luck with your treatment!

And thanks again! I hope my dream will come true and the tooth will return its natural color

source

Problem: a young woman came to Family Dental with a complaint about a dark front tooth. The tooth was previously treated in another clinic for a dental cyst. Copper-calcium hydroxide depophoresis was used for treatment. After the first session, the tooth became darker, but the patient was explained that everything was fine, the tooth was being saved, and she would then mask the darkening with a crown. After several sessions of depophoresis, after which the tooth became increasingly darker, the canals were sealed (according to the extract from the clinic where the tooth was treated, atatsamite cement was used) and the patient was offered to further grind the tooth and install a crown. The patient was not satisfied with this option, and she decided to change the clinic. Having found on the Internet examples of artistic restoration performed by dentist V.L. Ushakova, the patient came to Dial-Dent for restoration of her front tooth with a composite. The doctor suggested another solution - internal tooth whitening. Appearance when contacting:

Solution: the tooth canal was treated under a microscope, the canal was re-filled with gutta-percha, the tooth was bleached from the inside until a color that was completely satisfactory for the patient was achieved.

The copper-calcium hydroxide depophoresis method, which was used to treat the tooth, is an outdated method that always stains the teeth, so it is not used, especially in the aesthetically significant area of ​​the front teeth. There are more progressive methods for treating dental cysts that do not give such side effects.

This is what the tooth looked like when contacting Dial-Dent:

The patient chose the restoration method and compared prices for crowns, veneers and direct artistic restoration on the Internet. For the price, direct restoration was more suitable for her. On the Family Dental website she found many works on artistic restoration of teeth, and she really liked the result. A young woman came to the dentist V.L. Ushakova at Dial-Dent with the desire to restore the front tooth and hide the dark color.

We advise you to read: Treatments for teeth grinding during sleep

Upon examination, it turned out that all treatment was carried out through the inside of the tooth, that is, there are no fillings on the front surface, the tooth is absolutely intact. It would be a pity to prepare such a tooth for a crown, and direct restoration without grinding down the tooth will not be able to hide such a dark color.

Dentist-endodontist V.L. Ushakova suggested doing internal tooth whitening. With this option, the question arose about the need to reseal the canal. When whitening a tooth from the inside, the canals must be hermetically sealed so that the bleaching agent does not penetrate deep into the tooth and complications do not arise. Filling the canals with cement, as was done to the patient in another clinic, does not provide a seal, and over time the cement is destroyed, and infection can get into the canals, which will lead to inflammation of the bone tissue around the tooth.

To see how the canal is filled, an X-ray of the tooth was taken.

An X-ray of the tooth showed that the canal was not sealed hermetically. In this condition, internal bleaching cannot be performed; the tooth canal must be refilled.

  • unsealing the tooth canal with access from the inside, treating the tooth under a microscope, filling the canal with hot gutta-percha,
  • internal tooth whitening (several applications of whitening material until the desired result is achieved),
  • installation of a seal.

The outer surface of the tooth will not be affected at all, which is very important for aesthetics!

Having received an estimate for treatment indicating the cost of all stages, their order and duration, the patient decided to have her tooth re-treated and whitened at Dial-Dent, since after the consultation she gained even more confidence in the clinic and the doctor.

When treating tooth canals under a microscope, high quality canal cleaning is ensured. A dental microscope with a 25x magnification and additional illumination of the working area allows the endodontist to see all the branches and bends of the canals. Special endodontic instruments are used to get through the narrowest places and clean the canals completely. In this case, the entrance hole to the tooth was located on the inside and, thanks to the use of a microscope, was very small, which ensured maximum preservation of tooth tissue.

The root canal treatment required two visits to the clinic, approximately 1.5 hours each.

During the first visit, the canal was unsealed and cleaned. After cleansing, the canal is washed with antimicrobial solutions, and to completely destroy microbes, medicine is placed in the canal for about 10-14 days. While the medication is in effect, the tooth is covered with a temporary filling.

During the second visit to the clinic, the canal was again thoroughly washed and dried, the length of the canal was determined (controlled by x-ray), and the canal was hermetically sealed with hot gutta-percha. The quality of the canal filling was also checked using an x-ray. For the convenience of the patient, at Dial-Dent dental x-rays are performed directly in the dentist’s chair.

X-ray of a tooth after retreatment and canal filling:

After the canal was hermetically sealed with gutta-percha, the endodontist began internal whitening of the tooth.

In internal bleaching, the bleaching agent is placed directly into the tooth cavity and remains there for approximately 10-14 days. External bleaching in this case is ineffective, since it is the internal tissues that have darkened. The degree of whitening per application of material is individual for each patient, as it depends on the degree of staining, the structure of the tooth tissue, and the patient’s age. No one can accurately predict how many times a tooth will have to be whitened and how much the color will change.

At the next appointment, the doctor noted that the tooth had brightened significantly, but not yet enough, so the whitening procedure was repeated. In this case, it was necessary to apply the whitening material three times to achieve a color similar to the rest of the teeth. The slight yellowness on the tooth did not bother the patient at all, and excessive bleaching could over-lighten the tooth, and it would only be worse, so they decided to stop with the achieved result.

After whitening is completed, the cavity in the tooth located on the inside is closed with a filling.

The result of retreatment and internal tooth whitening is a beautiful smile that is no longer spoiled by dark teeth.

The cost of restoring the beauty of a smile:

  • dental treatment under a microscope – 17,280 rubles;
  • internal tooth whitening (3 refills of material) – 8250 rubles;
  • filling made of composite material – 4950 rubles.

Internal tooth whitening was performed by endodontist V.L. Ushakova, dental assistant E. Sheiko.

See other examples of the work of Dial-Dent specialists here.

source

Current time: 29 Oct 2020, 16:08

Restoration at home

There is a way to whiten a dead tooth yourself. For home whitening, a special gel is used, which must be selected by a specialist. This gel is applied before bed, with a mouth guard (plastic or silicone plate) placed on top. A home mouthguard is made once and given to the patient for independent use.

Home whitening is not as aggressive as a procedure in a doctor’s office, during which the enamel is lightened by several tones at once. There is less chance that the enamel will become brittle and begin to break down. The gel should be applied every evening for the recommended period (a week or two, depending on the desired result).

Causes of darkening

Each chewing unit consists of roots and a crown. Below the crown is the pulp chamber containing the pulp called the nerve. Blood vessels and nerve endings pass through the pulp, supplying the tooth with nutrients.

A dead tooth is one from which the pulp has been removed.

After removal of the nerve, strong enamel continues to perform its functions and remains in the gum. But the necessary substances do not reach it, the dentin dries out, and the tissue begins to darken. Another reason for discoloration is damage to the blood vessels when the nerve is removed. Blood quickly stains dentin, and it is useless to bleach the surface using traditional methods.

Whitening methods

How to whiten a darkened tooth? Two methods are used.

Endobleaching

The method involves injecting bleaching agents into the crown. For this purpose, a product based on sodium perborate is used. The procedure is carried out not only when the pulp is removed, but also in cases where it is impossible to change the shade in other ways:

  • injury followed by internal hemorrhage;
  • a filling was installed with formaldehyde, which stains dentin pink;
  • As a result of silvering, the roots darkened.
  1. Professional cleaning is carried out.
  2. Old fillings are removed and root canals are cleaned.
  3. A bleaching compound is injected into the cavity.
  4. A temporary filling is placed.

One of the methods is endobleaching.

The procedure is repeated at weekly intervals until the result is visible. Typically, 4-5 visits are needed to lighten a tooth. The filling is placed 10 days after the last gel placement procedure.

The result is noticeable on average within two years; after that you will have to repeat the cycle. It is not recommended to conduct more than three courses of intracanal bleaching. Each subsequent cycle increases the risk of crown fracture.

The technique has other disadvantages :

  • The result cannot be predicted immediately; it will be clear only after completing the course.
  • The enamel becomes lighter, but remains dull and differs from neighboring units.
  • There are contraindications: allergies, pregnancy, caries, gum disease, endocrine disorders, cracks, the presence of photopolymer fillings.

Veneers

Restorative bleaching means covering the surface with thin plates - veneers. They come in two types:

  1. Ceramic - made of porcelain or zirconium dioxide. The similarity to natural fabrics is achieved due to increased transparency. Such models are durable, so they are placed on chewing teeth.
  2. Composite - affordable, but less strong and durable. Their service life does not exceed five years.

Veneers are a reliable, durable and aesthetic way to restore a beautiful appearance to a tooth.

The procedure has the following steps :

  1. The required shade of the plate is selected.
  2. The tissue is sanded off the surface (from 0.5 to 1.5 mm).
  3. Zirconium dioxide veneers are made on a special machine based on a three-dimensional computer image. Porcelain plates are ground in dental laboratories using a plaster cast.
  4. Finished veneers are fixed to the surface using special glue.
  5. Composite plates are made both in the laboratory using an impression and directly in the patient’s mouth, when a filling composite material is applied to the prepared surface.

Restoration is not carried out if there are contraindications:

  • malocclusion;
  • severe tooth decay;
  • washability;
  • risk of injury (during sports activities, for example);
  • bruxism.

You can install a ceramic crown.

When deciding to install veneers, it is important to understand that you will have to wear them for the rest of your life. The technique involves less grinding than for crowns, but it still exists; It will not be possible to restore your teeth to their original appearance.

Crowns

Another method of restoration is crowns. Doctors consider it preferable for several reasons :

  1. By losing pulp, the tooth loses strength: it decreases by 30-60%. The crown helps protect the tissue and prevent fractures.
  2. Provides protection of natural fabrics from external influences.
  3. Evenly distributes the chewing load, protecting the walls from fractures.
  4. Allows you to save the root.

Crowns vary depending on the material:

  • Metal (stainless steel or titanium) - affordable, durable, but unaesthetic.
  • Metal-ceramic ones are the most popular due to their affordable cost and durability. The disadvantage is service life: over time, the metal begins to show through the ceramic coating.
  • Ceramic ones are the most aesthetic. Thanks to the ability to select the shade and level of transparency, they do not differ from natural teeth.
  • Zirconium models are the most modern models, which are made on the basis of computer images on an automatic machine without the participation of technicians.

All whitening methods harm the tooth to one degree or another.

According to dentists, the optimal choice for a dead tooth is a zirconium crown, which is durable and ensures a secure fit to the remaining tissues.

All described types of bleaching negatively affect the fabric. When using the intracanal technique, it becomes fragile; restoration methods require grinding. It is better to avoid situations where the enamel may darken. To do this, you need to carefully monitor your teeth and treat them at an early stage of disease.

  1. Wulfes H. Modern prosthetic technologies. Moscow, 2002.
  2. Chikunov S.O. Modern aesthetic dentistry. St. Petersburg, 2005.

How to whiten a darkened tooth

For single whitening, none of the home methods will work, be it professional gels with trays or traditional methods. You should not risk the health of your teeth; if one of them becomes very dark, contact your dentist, a specialist will select the right course of treatment. The procedure must be carried out so as not to affect the remaining teeth. Or if you whiten everything at once, the dead tooth needs to be given special attention. This is only possible in an office environment.

Hydrogen peroxide will also serve as a bleaching agent; when the chemical reaction is activated, oxygen neutralizes pigments in the enamel and even penetrates into dentin. It is important to work with peroxide carefully until experts have created an effective replacement for it. If handled improperly, peroxide can damage the enamel or cause a chemical burn to the mucous membrane. The only thing that can be done here is to provide maximum protection and reduce the concentration of the substance. In a whitening gel for standard procedures, the mass fraction of the active substance reaches 40%. This is enough to quickly get rid of yellowness, but not damage the enamel. For pulpless teeth, such a concentration will be excessive, so gels with a minimal peroxide content are used here.

Before you begin the procedure, the doctor will prepare you for it; this is necessary for safety. A special retainer is placed in the mouth, and the gums are treated with varnish, which forms a protective film on them. After all, a gel is applied to the dead tooth; a laser is most often used to activate the reaction, which is why active oxygen begins to quickly release from the composition - this reduces the time of exposure to chemicals. It is the laser that allows targeted treatment of one tooth, so it is better suited than photo-bleaching, which is designed to lighten the entire row.

For internal damage, intracanal bleaching is used. People take it up when it becomes clear that even the most powerful surface bleaching will not give the desired result.

The principle of the procedure is very simple. The active gel is placed inside the root canal, which is previously cleared and expanded. In such cases, the pulp is precisely removed, since the tooth becomes very sensitive and vulnerable. For intracanal lightening, use a gel with a peroxide concentration that does not exceed 20%. In this option, whitening takes a significant amount of time - usually several weeks. The canal opening is closed with a temporary filling, leaving the gel inside the tooth. After the tissues have changed color to the desired color, a permanent filling is placed on the tooth.

How harmful is whitening a dead tooth?

All types of whitening are, to one degree or another, harmful to teeth, both healthy and pulpless. The latter are much weaker, so the procedure is more destructive. On the other hand, such a tooth will not last more than five years and will still collapse. In this case, there are two options: install a crown or make an implant.

A crown is the most popular option due to its reasonable cost and simplicity. This is a permanent prosthesis that completely follows the shape of the tooth and allows you to restore its chewing and aesthetic functions. In most cases, ceramics or its combination with metal are used to produce crowns. It is possible to install a crown without an implant only if the dentist managed to completely preserve the roots and at least 50% of the outer part of the tooth.

An implant is a more serious design than a crown. This is an almost complete replacement of the main part of the tooth and its root system. The most popular implants are made from titanium alloys, but other materials are also used for their production. The product is implanted into the bone tissue and, after complete healing, becomes an inseparable part of the jaw and a support for the crown. Usually people strive to keep their own teeth for as long as possible without replacing them with dentures. And the main reason is not the high cost of the operation.

For quite a long time, it was believed that your own teeth are always better than artificial ones. Unfortunately, today it is almost impossible to maintain a healthy smile until old age; sooner or later the hard tissue weakens and begins to crumble. This happens around the age of fifty. So in many cases it is necessary to resort to implants; they are even needed to fix removable dentures. But the fact is that with age, the body tolerates such operations less well.

Therefore, if you have had pulpitis removed and the tooth has turned black, one of the reasonable solutions would be to replace it with an implant, without wasting time and money on whitening; without replacing it on time, you risk your health. But in any case, the dentist always has the final say.

How to keep your teeth healthy

To avoid unpleasant situations as much as possible, carefully monitor your dental health. Professional products from the ASEPTA series will help you with your care. In the line you will find remineralizing pastes that restore the health of enamel, rinses that prevent gum inflammation and other effective products.

Is it possible to whiten a dead, darkened tooth, how to lighten it?

These are the teeth that are obtained after root canal sanitation, that is, colloquially called dead teeth. Teeth without roots are more prone to staining, which most often occurs as a result of necrosis of the dental pulp.

Methods for whitening dead teeth. When whitening teeth without roots, hydrogen peroxide is most often used. As a rule, whitening of dead teeth is carried out by using special tooth whitening preparations. The two most popular whitening methods are intensive and gradual.

Preparing for the whitening procedure for dead teeth

Before the procedure begins, the patient takes an X-ray of the teeth. Then the patient's gums are treated with a special protective drug. The next step is for the dentist to open up the dead tooth and remove the filling to a depth of about 2 millimeters. Then the tightness of the channels is checked. If a leak occurs, the patient will have to undergo another root canal treatment. The canal mouths are tightly filled with special cement. This cement is often enriched with resin. After this, the dentist decides on the choice of whitening method.

If the doctor chooses an intensive whitening method, then this will happen in the following order. Treating the tooth surface with phosphoric acid - the procedure takes about half a minute. The tooth surface coated with the bleaching agent is heated for about 5 minutes, and the procedure can be repeated several times. After whitening, rinse the mouth thoroughly. Places calcium hydroxide on teeth to neutralize low PH after whitening. After two to three days, the dentist evaluates the whitening effect.

And if the doctor chooses the method of gradual whitening, he will proceed according to the following scheme.

Removes the top layer of dentin. Using acetone, ether or alcohol, peel off the walls and bottom of the chamber. The choice of method depends on the doctor. A special whitening agent with water and oxygen is placed in the tooth chamber. A dense filling and cement are applied to the tooth. Remember that in case of gradual teeth whitening, the effect should be waited for a week. If the treatment effect is not satisfactory, the dentist will repeat it. Once a satisfactory result is achieved, the dentist will remove the bleaching agents from the tooth and apply a permanent filling.

It is important to emphasize that after performing three procedures, if there are no results, the patient should refuse subsequent repetitions. If he insists, he risks damaging the crown and root of the tooth.

Possible complications after whitening dead teeth

  • Increased tooth sensitivity.
  • Reduced enamel stability.
  • Discoloration and fractures of weakened teeth.
  • Irritation of the tongue, palate and lips.
  • Rapid return of pigmentation.

Contraindications for whitening dead teeth

  • Allergy to bleach components.
  • Breast-feeding.
  • Smoking.
  • Leaky seals.
  • Active inflammatory processes of the gums.
  • Caries.

Whitening a dead tooth: types, price and photo.

In the usual sense, whitening is the application of a special gel to the teeth and its activation using a laser, halogen or ultraviolet lamp light. This is usually how they achieve the vaunted Hollywood smile. The procedure is carried out only if the patient wishes; qualified dentists usually do not impose it, but there are exceptions. Sometimes forced tooth color change is extremely necessary if the tooth is “dead,” especially an incisor or canine tooth. They are always visible, and if their color stands out even a little, everyone around will notice it. Whitening a dead tooth is vastly different from the usual procedure of this kind. Still, first, let’s figure out what and why such a dental service is needed at all.

Which tooth is called dead

A dead tooth is a tooth with its pulp, which contains nerve endings and blood vessels, removed from it. Thanks to the pulp, teeth are sensitive to pain, warning that something is wrong with them. If the tooth has been depulped, then, accordingly, food no longer reaches it, as a result of which the dentin begins to dry out, and the tissues themselves darken and become porous. Over time, the enamel of a dead tooth is destroyed, and due to the ingress of coloring particles contained in food, it changes color because it absorbs moisture like a sponge.

Often, when nerves are removed, blood vessels are damaged, the blood from which also stains the dead tooth, but from the inside. As a result, the dentin of the tooth becomes red with a hint of purple. Whitening a dead tooth using the usual traditional methods will not lead to a noticeable result. Only when you go to a specialized dental clinic, where there is suitable equipment and materials, will you be able to carry out the whitening procedure efficiently and, most importantly, safely.

Why do dead teeth turn dark?

A tooth is considered dead if the remote control has been removed for one reason or another. The remote is a collection of nerve endings and blood vessels. It is thanks to her that we feel pain, which warns that something is wrong with our teeth. Without pulp, hard tissue remains without nourishment. In fact, this is no longer a tooth in the usual sense, but only its shell, like a tree with destroyed roots. It is clear that such a molar or incisor can no longer function, much less look as usual.

After removal of the pulp, after about a few months, irreversible drying and weakening of the enamel and dentin, the main mineral part of the tooth, occurs. Drying also leads to a change in the texture of the hard tissue, and it becomes more porous. The tooth remains defenseless and everything that it fought without problems before becomes a great danger. We expose our teeth to this risk almost every minute. Smoking, alcohol, poor diet, foods high in dyes, coffee, strong tea - this is not the whole list of things that affect the color of enamel. A pulpless tooth, like a tooth, absorbs all these dyes and gradually becomes darker than all the others. For this reason, standard whitening of a dead tooth is carried out, but there is also a more sophisticated technique. It is used if the canine or molar has darkened from the inside. Very often, why the nerves were removed from a tooth and why it darkened are one and the same thing.

Only those nerves that have been damaged or interfere with the normal treatment of endontic (intracanal) diseases, such as caries, are removed. Since the pulp is not only nerve endings, but also blood vessels, damage to it often results in intracanal bleeding. The dentin of a completely healthy tooth is stained, even more than the enamel of the pulpless hard tissue. Bleeding causes the tooth to become red, even with a purple tint. It needs to be bleached.

Whitening a dead tooth using hydrogen peroxide-based gels.

It is worth noting that it is highly not recommended to carry out this procedure at home due to the high risk of damage not only to the dead tooth, but also to other healthy units, and chemical burns of the mucous membranes are also possible.

In a dental clinic, a tooth that needs to be whitened is necessarily isolated from others. An ordinary professional gel for whitening healthy teeth contains, as a rule, up to 40% hydrogen peroxide, so to whiten a dead tooth its concentration is reduced to a minimum so as not to further damage an already weakened tooth.

How does the whitening procedure work?

A photograph of the teeth is taken. The jaw is fixed with an expander. Then a protective varnish is applied to healthy teeth and mucous membranes, which covers them with a film to prevent the penetration of the whitening gel. Next, the pulpless tooth is covered with gel, and then a laser is used to activate the reaction for the release of active oxygen.

How to whiten dead teeth?

If there is a single darkening, home tooth whitening is not suitable. The dead tooth must be separated from the rest and a separate procedure performed, or special attention given to it. This is only possible in an equipped dental clinic. Ordinary hydrogen peroxide (peroxide) is used as the main substance for bleaching. By entering into special chemical reactions, it starts the process of enamel whitening and even penetrates into dentin. Despite great strides in the development of dentistry, it is still impossible to get rid of the use of peroxide, but it is extremely dangerous for the enamel and can even lead to chemical burns of the mucous membrane. The only thing that can be done is to reduce its amount as much as possible and effectively use small concentrations. In a regular whitening gel for professional use, the mass fraction of this active substance does not exceed 40%. This indicator is considered quite impressive and is used only if the dentist is confident in the complete health of the entire dentition. A pulpless tooth cannot boast of health, so a minimal concentration of peroxide is used for it. Before the procedure, some safety rules are followed. A retainer is placed in the patient's mouth, the gums and healthy teeth are covered with a protective varnish film. Only after this the gel is applied to the pulpless tooth. To activate a chemical reaction, during which active oxygen will be released, a laser is most often used. Only they can enlighten a single tooth. The principle of photo-whitening involves affecting the entire dentition, especially the smile area. So this technique is not suitable for changing the shade of the enamel of one dead incisor or fang.

Laser teeth whitening

In case of internal damage to hard tissue, it is advisable to use intracanal bleaching; even the most powerful superficial bleaching is useless in this situation. The principle of this procedure is clear from the name. The whitening composition is applied inside the tooth, and before that the root canal is cleared and expanded. Since the tooth is very vulnerable in such a situation, the pulp will most likely be removed. The peroxide concentration used is very small, no more than 20%. Due to the low concentration and the inability to use additional catalysts, intracanal bleaching sometimes lasts several weeks. The canal is closed with a temporary filling, and the bleaching composition remains inside. After completion of the procedure, the damaged hard tissue is sealed.

Endobleaching.

If the tooth is darkened from the inside, then any surface whitening methods will not be effective. In this case, the method of intracanal bleaching (endobleaching) is used. The essence of the method is that the doctor opens the root canals in order to clean and expand them. In this case, the old fillings are removed.

Then a bleaching gel containing no more than 20% hydrogen peroxide is injected into the prepared canals, and the canals themselves are sealed. Since the concentration of peroxide is quite low, the intracanal bleaching procedure takes a long time, in some cases it takes about 2 weeks. When the color of the enamel of a dead tooth completely brightens, getting as close as possible to the natural color of the enamel of healthy teeth, a permanent filling is placed.

Possible negative consequences: a bleached tooth may break off as a result of eating hard foods, pigmentation may return again after 2 years, irritation of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, fragility of the enamel. In addition, the enamel on a bleached, pulpless tooth loses its natural shine, resulting in it becoming dull.

Contraindications for endobleaching are:

  • period of pregnancy and lactation;
  • gum disease and caries;
  • allergy to components of bleaching products.

Intracoronal bleaching

Bruno Pelissier, Camille Bertrand, Jean-Christophe Chazel, Francois Duret Service OCE,UFR d'Odontologie de Montpellier Translation: Nikolaev D.A., Smolensk State Medical Academy

Intra-canal whitening for discolored teeth is a medical procedure that should only be performed in a dental office by a dentist. Before starting the whitening procedure, it is necessary to check the quality of the previously performed endodontic treatment and the tightness of the root canal filling.

When performing intracoronal bleaching, before applying the bleaching agent, it is necessary to open the tooth cavity and protect the “root filling” with a lining made of glass ionomer cement or any light-curing material. The bleaching agent is replaced every 5-7 days. Intracoronal whitening, like “at-home” teeth whitening, requires the dentist to have special equipment and appropriate qualifications.

It cannot be carried out in beauty salons where there is no equipment to carry out such treatment, and the staff has neither special training nor experience in carrying out this manipulation.

Whitening a pulpless tooth using veneers and crowns.

A pulpless tooth, even with very careful treatment, is slowly but surely destroyed due to the lack of supply of the necessary minerals that support and nourish the tooth. Such a tooth will be destroyed, as a rule, after 5 years. Therefore, for restoration, as well as to give a damaged and darkened tooth a natural shade, dentists often advise their patients to use veneers or install crowns.

Whitening dead teeth with veneers.

Veneers are thin ceramic or composite shells that are placed over the teeth. They are often used in restorative dentistry and are an excellent way to give damaged teeth a natural whiteness, restore their shape, while protecting teeth from mechanical damage.

As already noted, veneers can be made from composite materials, which are affordable, but at the same time, not as durable as ceramic veneers, and their service life is no more than 5 years. Ceramics (porcelain or zirconium dioxide) are highly durable and aesthetically pleasing, but the cost of such veneers will be much more expensive, which is justified by their very long service life - about several decades.

The order of the procedure.

  1. First, the doctor selects the shade and size of the veneers.
  2. The top layer of enamel (0.5-1.5 mm) is ground off the tooth.
  3. Next, a picture is taken from the prepared tooth(s).
  4. While veneers are made in the laboratory using plaster casts, temporary plastic plates are placed on the teeth, which protect the teeth from mechanical damage and the aggressive environment in the oral cavity.
  5. The veneers are then attached to the surface of the teeth using glue or dental cement.

Contraindications for the procedure are:

  • bite defects;
  • bruxism and increased wear of teeth;
  • when teeth are severely damaged.

If you decide to install veneers, then know that you will need to wear them for the rest of your life, since your teeth are subject to grinding and returning them to their previous appearance will no longer be possible.

Restoration and whitening of a pulpless tooth with a crown.

Crowns are placed on teeth that require restoration, in which the roots and at least 50% of the outer part of the tooth are preserved. If the tooth is destroyed by more than half, then it is recommended to place a titanium implant followed by a crown.

Advantages of installing crowns:

  • elimination of defects in the shape and color of dental units that cannot be corrected by other means;
  • protection of teeth from mechanical damage;
  • protection of pulpless tooth enamel from fractures;
  • uniform distribution of chewing load;
  • preserves the tooth root.

Dental crowns are made from different materials:

  • metal (titanium, stainless steel, gold), they are characterized by increased strength and low cost, but have an unaesthetic appearance;
  • metal-ceramic: affordable, have excellent strength, but over time the metal becomes visible through the ceramic layer;
  • ceramic (porcelain, aluminum oxide, zirconium dioxide). In modern dentistry, crowns made of zirconium dioxide are more often used due to its high strength, durability, and excellent aesthetic and optical properties. Their only drawback is their high cost.

Thus, crowns help restore a damaged, pulpless tooth, returning it to its beautiful appearance (ceramics and metal-ceramics) and natural whiteness (zirconium dioxide).

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DentistryClinic servicesTeeth whiteningDead tooth whitening

A dead tooth is a tooth with its pulp removed, which contains nerve endings and blood vessels. Thanks to the pulp, teeth are sensitive to pain, warning that something is wrong with them.

If the tooth has been depulped, then, accordingly, food no longer reaches it, as a result of which the dentin begins to dry out, and the tissues themselves darken and become porous.

Over time, the enamel of a dead tooth is destroyed, and due to the ingress of coloring particles contained in food, it changes color because it absorbs moisture like a sponge.

Often, when nerves are removed, blood vessels are damaged, the blood from which also stains the dead tooth, but from the inside. As a result, the dentin of the tooth becomes red with a hint of purple.

Whitening a dead tooth using the usual traditional methods will not lead to a noticeable result.

Only when you go to a specialized dental clinic, where there is suitable equipment and materials, will you be able to carry out the whitening procedure efficiently and, most importantly, safely.

Effective methods for whitening a dead tooth are the following:

  • whitening using gels based on hydrogen peroxide;
  • endobleaching;
  • restoration methods: veneers, crowns.

Next, we will consider each of the methods in detail.

It is worth noting that it is highly not recommended to carry out this procedure at home due to the high risk of damage not only to the dead tooth, but also to other healthy units, and chemical burns of the mucous membranes are also possible.

In a dental clinic, a tooth that needs to be whitened is necessarily isolated from others. An ordinary professional gel for whitening healthy teeth contains, as a rule, up to 40% hydrogen peroxide, so to whiten a dead tooth its concentration is reduced to a minimum so as not to further damage an already weakened tooth.

How does the whitening procedure work?

A photograph of the teeth is taken. The jaw is fixed with an expander. Then a protective varnish is applied to healthy teeth and mucous membranes, which covers them with a film to prevent the penetration of the whitening gel. Next, the pulpless tooth is covered with gel, and then a laser is used to activate the reaction for the release of active oxygen.

If the tooth is darkened from the inside, then any surface whitening methods will not be effective. In this case, the method of intracanal bleaching (endobleaching) is used. The essence of the method is that the doctor opens the root canals in order to clean and expand them. In this case, the old fillings are removed.

Then a bleaching gel containing no more than 20% hydrogen peroxide is injected into the prepared canals, and the canals themselves are sealed.

Since the concentration of peroxide is quite low, the intracanal bleaching procedure takes a long time, in some cases it takes about 2 weeks.

When the color of the enamel of a dead tooth completely brightens, getting as close as possible to the natural color of the enamel of healthy teeth, a permanent filling is placed.

Possible negative consequences: a bleached tooth may break off as a result of eating hard foods, pigmentation may return again after 2 years, irritation of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, fragility of the enamel. In addition, the enamel on a bleached, pulpless tooth loses its natural shine, resulting in it becoming dull.

Contraindications for endobleaching are:

  • period of pregnancy and lactation;
  • gum disease and caries;
  • allergy to components of bleaching products.

A pulpless tooth, even with very careful treatment, is slowly but surely destroyed due to the lack of supply of the necessary minerals that support and nourish the tooth.

Such a tooth will be destroyed, as a rule, after 5 years.

Therefore, for restoration, as well as to give a damaged and darkened tooth a natural shade, dentists often advise their patients to use veneers or install crowns.

Whitening dead teeth with veneers.

Veneers are thin ceramic or composite shells that are placed over the teeth. They are often used in restorative dentistry and are an excellent way to give damaged teeth a natural whiteness, restore their shape, while protecting teeth from mechanical damage.

As already noted, veneers can be made from composite materials, which are affordable, but at the same time, not as durable as ceramic veneers, and their service life is no more than 5 years.

Ceramics (porcelain or zirconium dioxide) are highly durable and aesthetically pleasing, but the cost of such veneers will be much more expensive, which is justified by their very long service life - about several decades.

The order of the procedure.

  1. First, the doctor selects the shade and size of the veneers.
  2. The top layer of enamel (0.5-1.5 mm) is ground off the tooth.
  3. Next, a picture is taken from the prepared tooth(s).
  4. While veneers are made in the laboratory using plaster casts, temporary plastic plates are placed on the teeth, which protect the teeth from mechanical damage and the aggressive environment in the oral cavity.
  5. The veneers are then attached to the surface of the teeth using glue or dental cement.

Contraindications for the procedure are:

If you decide to install veneers, then know that you will need to wear them for the rest of your life, since your teeth are subject to grinding and returning them to their previous appearance will no longer be possible.

Restoration and whitening of a pulpless tooth with a crown.

Crowns are placed on teeth that require restoration, in which the roots and at least 50% of the outer part of the tooth are preserved. If the tooth is destroyed by more than half, then it is recommended to place a titanium implant followed by a crown.

Advantages of installing crowns:

  • elimination of defects in the shape and color of dental units that cannot be corrected by other means;
  • protection of teeth from mechanical damage;
  • protection of pulpless tooth enamel from fractures;
  • uniform distribution of chewing load;
  • preserves the tooth root.

Dental crowns are made from different materials:

  • metal (titanium, stainless steel, gold), they are characterized by increased strength and low cost, but have an unaesthetic appearance;
  • metal-ceramic: affordable, have excellent strength, but over time the metal becomes visible through the ceramic layer;
  • ceramic (porcelain, aluminum oxide, zirconium dioxide). In modern dentistry, crowns made of zirconium dioxide are more often used due to its high strength, durability, and excellent aesthetic and optical properties. Their only drawback is their high cost.

Thus, crowns help restore a damaged, pulpless tooth, returning it to its beautiful appearance (ceramics and metal-ceramics) and natural whiteness (zirconium dioxide).

The listed methods of whitening: using gels containing hydrogen peroxide and endobleaching are undoubtedly harmful even for a tooth with the pulp removed. The veneer restoration method involves grinding down a pulpless tooth, which also negatively affects its strength.

If a dead tooth is not treated, it can almost completely collapse within 5 years. In case of severe destruction of a dead tooth, it is recommended to install a crown or implant.

Do not self-medicate a dead tooth or whiten it with home methods, as this can further damage an already weakened tooth.

To keep your teeth healthy and prevent the enamel on them from darkening, contact a dental clinic in a timely manner, where you will receive competent and effective assistance from professionals.

  • Whitening a dead tooth

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Is whitening harmful for a dead tooth?

The listed methods of whitening: using gels containing hydrogen peroxide and endobleaching are undoubtedly harmful even for a tooth with the pulp removed. The veneer restoration method involves grinding down a pulpless tooth, which also negatively affects its strength.

If a dead tooth is not treated, it can almost completely collapse within 5 years. In case of severe destruction of a dead tooth, it is recommended to install a crown or implant.

Do not self-medicate a dead tooth or whiten it with home methods, as this can further damage an already weakened tooth.

To keep your teeth healthy and prevent the enamel on them from darkening, contact a dental clinic in a timely manner, where you will receive competent and effective assistance from professionals.

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