Treatment of Tooth Discoloration

1-Diet and habits:

žExtrinsic staining caused by foods, beverages, or habits (eg, smoking, chewing tobacco

Treated with prophylaxis and cessation of dietary or other contributory habits to prevent further staining.

 

2-Toothbrushing:

žtwice a day with a dentifrice helps to prevent extrinsic staining.

 

3-Professional tooth cleaning:

žSome extrinsic stains may be removed with ultrasonic cleaning, rotary polishing with an abrasive prophylactic paste, or air-jet polishing with an abrasive powder.

 

4-Enamel microabrasion:

žThis technique involves the rotary application of a mixture of weak hydrochloric acid and silicon carbide particles in a water-soluble paste.

ž The resultant surface is smooth and has a glazed appearance.

žindicated for the removal of superficial intrinsic tooth discoloration, including that caused by fluorosis.

 

5-Bleaching (tooth whitening):

žtreat many types of tooth discoloration. Usually, bleaching is not indicated for the treatment of discoloration of the primary teeth. Bleaching includes 2 types of techniques: vital and nonvital

Vital bleaching:

  žBleaching of vital teeth is indicated primarily for patients with generalized yellow, orange, or light brown extrinsic discoloration (including chlorhexidine staining), although it may be helpful in ameliorating mild cases of tetracycline-induced intrinsic discoloration and fluorosis.

 

Nonvital bleaching:

žNonvital bleaching is indicated for the treatment of teeth with discoloration secondary to pulpal degeneration. This technique involves placing a mixture of 30% hydrogen peroxide and sodium perborate into the pulp chamber for as long as 1 week.

 

Reference:

žVogel RI. Intrinsic and extrinsic discoloration of the dentition (a literature review). J Oral Med. Oct-Dec 1975;30(4):99-104

 

 

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