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We all know that coffee is one of the main culprits that can cause our teeth to become discolored; however, several other reasons might be the source of tooth darkening.
One of the other common causes is some kind of trauma. This can cause a complete or partial blackening – and it’s definitely not something you should ignore. It may just be a small knock and easily recover, but sometimes the damage is more serious and the dead tooth will have to be removed.
Another possible cause of the darkening of the enamel is decay. Like any trauma, this must be treated as soon as possible, as decay can easily spread to other teeth. If you leave it too long, the pulp could end up infected and a root canal would be needed.
Although these aren’t as common, one cause of discoloration is the tarnishing of metal fillings. Some people think it’s only the filling that will change color, but the darkening can spread to the entire tooth.
It’s very important to keep an eye on any darkening of your teeth as this could be a sign that the tooth has died. For example, teeth that have previously had root canal treatments can often turn darker after a few years. This is due to the lack of blood supply that would usually provide nourishment; essentially, it’s a dead tooth. This requires a complete restoration, such as a crown or veneer to brighten the smile again.
It’s worth keeping in mind that all of these problems can be solved with cosmetic dentistry. Manhattan coffee drinkers, never fear – abstaining from your favorite cup of joe isn’t the only solution!
Even if the staining isn’t causing any pain, it can disrupt the continuity of your lovely smile and may lead to a lack of confidence. There is no shame in seeking out reparations for cosmetic reasons, and all the solutions below can be extremely effective when you’re with the right dental team.
Implants: This is a very effective option for patients who have more than one tooth affected by darkening, thanks to the way they work. Implants are permanent replacements for damaged teeth and function as a sort of cap across several teeth. However, it won’t be the perfect solution for everyone, so you’ll need to discuss this option with your dentist beforehand. Implants depend on the shape of the mouth and the location of the damage, so it’s a very bespoke treatment.
Crowns: Crowns are specifically offered to patients seeking dental work for cosmetic reasons, so it’s a popular choice for those suffering from teeth discoloration. It’s also commonly offered for root canal patients. The dentist will color match the crown to your smile and it will be used as a coverup; it’s also great at strengthening your pearly whites!
Veneers: Porcelain veneers work in a similar way to crowns, however they are especially great for those who want or need little work done to the actual tooth. (The process requires less shaving than crowns, so you’ll be able to keep more of your natural tooth.) The veneers are applied in thin strips that are matched to your healthy teeth, so you’ll end up with a very natural-looking smile.
Whitening: Last but by no means least, we have teeth whitening. Perhaps the most popular and well-known form of cosmetic dentistry. Manhattan has plenty of excellent practices offering different kinds of whitening. This is the best option for people who have only slight discoloration. If your darkening is more severe, one of the other options may be more suitable.
Although the process for all the treatments above is straightforward for a skilled dentist, the experience will be different for every patient since every case is unique. The two case studies below show how a porcelain crown can be used to solve discoloration from two different causes.
The first case study involved some extra treatment, which was gum reduction to fit the crown correctly. The second case study, on the other hand, is an example of a patient who has suffered discoloration after a root canal treatment. For this patient, a round of whitening was required before the crown was fitted. Both of these studies are very different and yet the same solution is used, which gives you a great example of how certain treatments can work for different people.
The tooth was prepared for a crown by removing the outer shell of the enamel. This makes room for porcelain to cover it without being too bulky. This tooth also had some bonding, which was removed as well. After the preparation was completed, the tooth was scanned for a crown with Itero.
The tooth was prepared for a crown by removing the outer shell of enamel. This makes room for porcelain to cover the tooth without being too bulky. This tooth also had some bonding which was removed as well. After the tooth preparation was completed, the tooth was scanned for a crown with Itero.
A custom porcelain crown was crafted for our patient. Once he approved the esthetics of the crown it was cemented onto his tooth.
We noticed that the gum on the tooth just next to the crown was a bit too low. With a laser a little bit of gum was removed to make the front two teeth appear more even.
The patient had a dark front tooth because it had prior root canal treatment.
First, we performed an in-office Professional Kaboom! Teeth Whitening Treatment, from which the patient achieved results of six shades lighter.
Then the dark front tooth was prepared for a porcelain crown. Once the crown was ready, it was cemented in for a large improvement in esthetics.
Porcelain crowns can be used to effectively treat many cosmetic problems and they work particularly well for darkening issues. However, like any cosmetic dentistry, Manhattan dentists will want you to be familiar with the pros and cons of the process.
Pros
One of the key reasons why patients and their dentists will opt for crowns is that the results are extremely natural. Your dentist will ensure that your new crown is matched identically with your healthy teeth, which means that people won’t be able to tell that anything has been added. The same goes for the shape of your smile. The new crown will be carefully built to look just like your other teeth, so it will be comfortable and beautiful. Finally, porcelain is a great material for this kind of procedure due to its bio-compatible nature. This means it won’t irritate the gums or cause any such issues.
Cons
Like anything that works, there are a few cons. Effects such as sensitivity and the porcelain’s fragility are things to be aware of, however, here at Smile Arts we are well aware of these pitfalls. Our experienced team knows exactly how to mitigate these issues. With their knowledge and state-of-the-art practices our patients rarely experience any of these problems.
If you have some tooth darkening and are considering booking an appointment to discuss your options, just give the friendly team at Smile Arts a call. When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, Manhattan is lucky to have such a professional and kind practice available at Smile Arts of NY. Get in touch today!
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Having completed NYU School of Dentistry and a General Residency program in Kings County hospital. Dr. Peter Mann has trained with some of the top world renowned dentists. Being recognized in 2009 with a fellowship award from the (ICOI) International Congress of Oral Implantology and in 2012 with a fellowship award from the (AGD) Academy of General Dentistry.
In 2009 Dr. Peter Mann decided it was time to achieve his vision by opening his dental office to provide outstanding dental services to NYC residents. Smile Arts of NY is located in the heart of Manhattan on E. 40th between Madison and Park ave.
Originally born in Ukraine, when iron curtain of communism collapsed his family took the opportunity to pursue the American dream by moving to New York. Dr. Peter Mann has lived in New York ever since, for over 33 years. His goal is to provide excellent dental experience for his fellow New Yorkers.
Dr. Mann lives minutes from the office. Patients undergoing treatment have his cell phone number and can always get in touch with any questions or concerns. It’s not unusual to see Dr. Mann arriving after hours to help a patient with an emergency.
Smile Arts of NY is located in midtown Manhattan. We are considered one of the best dentists by patients who reviewed our services.
If you’re looking for a Manhattan “dentist near me.” Our cosmetic dental office is proud to serve patients from Midtown Manhattan NYC & Nearby Areas:
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