What to do about brown spots on the teeth
San Diego cosmetic dentist
Most people want to have a dazzling white smile to show the world. Unfortunately, this doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Some people find themselves with brown spots on the teeth, which can be distracting from the natural beauty of the smile. If you’re bothered by brown spots, is there any way to get rid of them?
What causes brown spots?
There are a number of possible causes of brown spots on the teeth. In some cases, people are born with the spots, while in other cases, they develop later. Some possibilities include:
- Fluorosis (too much fluoride intake during early childhood tooth development)
- Aging, which causes thinning of the enamel
- Stains caused by foods, beverages, or tobacco
- Tooth decay
- Certain medications or general medical conditions (including the antibiotic tetracycline, and celiac disease)
- Genetics
How can brown spots be addressed?
Cosmetic dentistry has various options for addressing brown spots on the teeth. Which one is right for you depends on what the cause of your brown spots is. If spots are caused by a medical condition or a medication, then treating the condition or switching medications may stop the development of new spots, but generally will not remove the spots that are already there.
Whitening
For spots that are caused by staining, teeth whitening may help. Whitening is most effective for stains caused by organic substances (such as coffee, tea, cola, red wine, or tobacco). Over-the-counter whitening may help to some degree, but professional whitening will produce better results.
Bonding
In some cases, dental bonding may be able to cover up the spot. If the spot is located in a small pit or depression in the tooth, then the dentist can fill this area in with color-matched composite resin to hide it. If that’s not possible, then the dentist may be able to sand it off and then fill in the gap with resin, as long as the spot isn’t too large or too deep. Dental bonding is painless, takes just a few minutes, and offers instant results.
Veneers
In some cases, spots may be too large or too deep to allow for dental bonding. In this case, porcelain veneers may be used. These are thin porcelain shells that are placed on the front of a tooth, in order to change its appearance. The placement of veneers is slightly more involved than for dental bonding; it takes two dental appointments, one to take impressions and prepare the teeth, and the second one to place the veneers permanently. Depending on how many teeth have brown spots, one or more veneers may be used.
Crowns
Crowns are thicker porcelain shells that are placed around the outside of a tooth when it’s structurally compromised and needs to be reinforced. For brown spots that are causing only cosmetic concerns, a crown would not be appropriate; veneers or bonding would be used instead. However, if the brown spot is caused by a significant amount of decay, then a crown may be needed to keep the tooth strong after the decay is removed.
San Diego cosmetic dentist
If you’re bothered by one or more brown spots on your teeth, then it’s important to visit a dentist to ensure that the spots aren’t caused by tooth decay, which needs dental treatment as early as possible. If your dentist suspects that the spots could indicate a medical problem, then he or she will refer you to a physician for evaluation.
If the spots are entirely cosmetic in nature, then your dentist will explain the options for fixing the problem. You can then decide for yourself if you’d like to proceed with any particular procedure. There’s no pressure to commit to doing anything; if your spots turn out to be cosmetic, then you can decide simply to live with them, or to take advantage of the tools that cosmetic dentistry has to offer.
Dr. Carpenter is very highly regarded for his technical skills. Other dentists refer their toughest cases to our office, but you don’t need a referral to see Dr. Carpenter. Simply contact our office to book your appointment.