If you have noticed that one tooth looks grey or darker than the rest of your smile, you may be wondering whether teeth whitening can help.
The good news is that in many cases, a grey tooth can be lightened. However, the right treatment depends on why the tooth has changed colour in the first place.
At Coppice View Dental Care in Harrogate, we would always recommend having a grey or dark tooth assessed by a dentist before considering whitening.
Why has my tooth turned grey?
There are several reasons why a tooth can become grey or noticeably darker than the surrounding teeth.
One of the most common causes is trauma to the tooth. This could be from a recent knock or accident, or an injury that happened many years ago – sometimes even during childhood.
Trauma can damage the nerve and blood supply inside the tooth. If the nerve becomes damaged or dies, the tooth can gradually become darker or develop a grey appearance.
A tooth may also become darker following root canal treatment, while other causes can include changes within the tooth, previous dental treatment or developmental factors.
Because there are several possible causes, it is important to establish why the tooth has changed colour before deciding how best to treat it.
Will normal whitening work on a grey tooth?
Sometimes – but not always.
Conventional professional teeth whitening is designed to lighten natural teeth and can be very effective for general staining and discolouration.
However, when one individual tooth is grey because the discolouration comes from inside the tooth, whitening the outside of the tooth alone may not produce the result you are hoping for.
Your dentist will first examine the tooth and may recommend an X-ray or other tests to check the health of the tooth and its nerve.
Can a root canal-treated tooth be whitened?
If a tooth has previously undergone root canal treatment and has become darker, internal tooth whitening may be an option.
Rather than applying whitening gel only to the outside of the tooth, internal whitening involves carefully placing whitening material inside the affected tooth.
The aim is to gradually lighten the tooth from within so that it blends more naturally with the surrounding teeth.
Several appointments may be needed to achieve the desired improvement, and your dentist will advise whether internal whitening is appropriate for your individual tooth.
What if my grey tooth cannot be whitened?
Not every grey tooth will respond sufficiently to whitening, and achieving an exact colour match with the surrounding teeth is not always possible.
If whitening is not suitable, or does not provide enough improvement, there may be other cosmetic options available.
Depending on the health and condition of the tooth, these could include:
• Composite bonding
• A porcelain veneer
• A dental crown
Where appropriate, we will always consider conservative treatment options and discuss the advantages and limitations of each treatment with you.
Should I try to whiten a grey tooth at home?
If you have one tooth that is noticeably grey or darker than the others, we recommend seeing a dentist before trying whitening products at home.
Whitening the surrounding teeth without treating the darker tooth could actually make the difference in colour more noticeable.
More importantly, a change in the colour of an individual tooth can sometimes indicate that something has happened inside the tooth. A dental assessment allows us to check its health first.
What should I do if my tooth has suddenly turned grey?
If you notice a tooth changing colour – particularly following a knock, accident or injury – arrange a dental assessment.
A grey tooth does not automatically mean that the tooth needs extensive treatment. Once we know what has caused the discolouration, we can explain the options available for improving both the health and appearance of your tooth.
Concerned about a grey tooth?
If you have a grey or dark tooth and would like to know whether it can be whitened, our team at Coppice View Dental Care in Harrogate can help.
We can assess the tooth, identify the likely cause of the discolouration and discuss the most appropriate treatment options for your smile.
Contact Coppice View Dental Care today to arrange an appointment.
* Individual treatment options and whitening results vary. Tooth whitening should only be carried out following an appropriate dental assessment.
