Why is the filled tooth blackened? What is important to know if caries has destroyed the deep-lying internal tissues of the tooth…. Prevention of darkening of teeth

Engineering systems 16.08.2020
Engineering systems

Please do not criticize much, first post. I express my personal opinion based on personal experience and studying at the university

The following message sent me to this post:


“I don’t understand 1 moment ... and I still don’t understand ...
why if there is not a large caries (according to the doctor) it is cleaned and a filling is put? in fact, caries develops inside the tooth ... after a while the filling falls out, and the tooth has already rotted !!! and just fell apart ... Why do that? can't it be somehow different?
now I don't trust doctors ...
in fact, I had such a story ...
PS: There is no need to blame me ... my parents are also doctors, although not dentists ...
seeds and other rubbish did not eat and do not eat! "

Often, patients come with questions: Why did everything turn black around the filling? (The border of the filling appeared) Or did the tooth under the filling start to hurt?

1. The seal is to blame. Yes, you understood everything correctly. There are such cases. This refers to chemical-curing fillings, outwardly yellow or grayish-yellow over time (the picture above characterizes very well what I am talking about). Why is this absurd? Earlier (10-12 years ago) there was no particular choice, therefore, along with other "then" filling materials, chemical curing fillings had a number of advantages, the main thing was "aesthetics" and its long-term presence in the carious cavity, simply in comparison with gray cements , they did not fall out, and in general they were a salvation for both patients and dentists. This "know-how" is still put in state institutions and some private ostomy clinics. So, the main problem of this filling is that it has a high percentage of "polymerization shrinkage", that is, it simply "SETS", that is, it becomes lower than the walls of the tooth, roughly speaking "cracks" are formed between the walls and the filling, we are doctors we call this "violation of the marginal fit of the filling." It is there that microorganisms enter and cause carious processes. THEREFORE, MY ADVICE: TO CHANGE SUCH SEALS IS NECESSARY !!!

ANSWER # 2 if, after all, the tooth is not externally changed (only a dentist can say this), but changing the fillings, the doctor says: Wow, what we have here under the filling !!! This indicates the possible ingress of microorganisms before the filling, i.e. perhaps saliva got into the carious cavity, or the tooth filling technique was not fully followed. It is also possible that the pathological tissues were not completely removed.

ANSWER №3 Did the tooth start to hurt immediately after filling? This is possible in some cases. Here you should distinguish between the intensity of pain. If some discomfort is felt, then we can talk about the so-called postoperative state. This concept is common among dentists, i.e. when we prepare a tooth, we touch the dentinal tubules, which have pain receptors. With some of their injury, such discomfort is possible within a day, but it should not puzzle you or force you to take pills! If, nevertheless, you feel pain directly (I am now writing about the treatment of caries), it has an aching shade and the property of arising spontaneously - then we are talking about inflammation of the neurovascular bundle! This situation is possible if the doctor diagnosed "deep caries". And "deep caries" is, roughly speaking, often, but not always undiagnosed pulpitis. In case of deep caries, the nerve is very close to the carious cavity and the doctor and the patient have a joint question "should I try to save or remove the nerve immediately?" Than this or that situation is bad, I will tell later. But if the doctor and YOU decided that it was worth trying to save and after that you felt such pain at home, then alas, most likely it was not possible to save ...

Option # 4 was suggested by a colleague And my friend Zhanna. After reading the article. If it so happened that you decided to treat your teeth during pregnancy and breastfeeding, do not forget that in this moment dental tissues are minimally saturated with calcium and other microelements, therefore, the structure of the enamel is slightly changed, + the protective functions of the body are extremely reduced and the risk of secondary caries after such treatment increases. Therefore, a control examination after treatment at such a magical time is necessary after 3-6 months, I will add that the control of any crowns and its polishing to prevent a violation of the marginal fit and after usual treatment is necessary at best once every six months, at worst once a year during a scheduled visit to a dentist.

SO, how to avoid such an unpleasant phenomenon as "Secondary caries?"

DO NOT SAVE ON THE SEAL !!! Place light-cured fillings! They do not have such shrinkage and are less visible from the outside. Also, if the doctor has the skills of restorations, you will hardly be able to see this very filling.

TIP 2 TRUST BUT CHECK. Ask your doctor to show you the cavity before the filling: it must be clean! No stains or darkening !!! That is, the fabrics should be clean, yellowish-white! Then you will be sure that everything is clean "there"!
so approximately! only here enamel, dentin is more yellowish.

TIP # 3 Carefully weigh the pros and cons when it comes to deep caries: trying to preserve a nerve does not always mean “preserving it,” but it’s stupid to remove it immediately.

And finally, do not get sick! All questions in the comments !!!

Best regards, your dentist)

Tooth filling is the most common therapeutic dental procedure. Filling helps to restore a partially lost area of \u200b\u200bhard tooth tissue in case of various destructions. After placing the filling, the patient expects to get rid of the problems. But under the influence of some factors, the tooth under the filling can turn black and cause many inconveniences to the owner. To eliminate the defect, you must seek help from a specialist.

Blackened tooth under the filling - secondary caries

Blackening of a tooth under a filling: causes and treatment. Reasons for darkening of the filling

If you delay the visit to a doctor, the situation will be aggravated by the appearance of pain syndrome. And sometimes darkening indicates the destruction of the hard tissues of the tooth. Often the attending physician, not the patient, is to blame for the appearance of darkening. Since before installing the filling, it is necessary to completely clean the carious cavity from dead tissue. A carious cavity or a tooth destroyed by a non-carious method is cleaned with professional equipment. The canals are rinsed and thoroughly dried for better material adhesion.

Before installing the filling, the specialist must check the canals and dentin for the absence of cariogenic microorganisms; for this, a specialized liquid dye is used in dentistry. This procedure allows you to see even the smallest traces of pathogenic microorganisms and re-stripping.

Caries marker shows whether the tooth cavity is well cleaned

If the specialist missed this stage, then cariogenic microorganisms under the filling will multiply and lead to the appearance of secondary caries.

Secondary caries is the main cause of darkening

Secondary caries develops under a properly installed filling. The reason for the formation of repeated caries is the shrinkage of the filling material. The size of the filling decreases during polymerization, micro cavities are formed between the tooth tissues and the filling material. In such cavities, pathogenic microorganisms actively multiply, the tooth darkens.

Shrinkage of the material during hardening occurs due to the use of low-quality materials. But even the most expensive polymer materials shrink if installed incorrectly. If the dentist is unqualified and made mistakes, then this is the main reason why the tooth darkened.

Secondary caries on the front tooth

The most common mistakes made by a specialist:

  • Insufficient drying of the tooth cavity before placing the material.
  • Filling and polymerizing the material in a single thick layer, instead of gradually filling in small portions.
  • Insufficient cleaning of dead dentine.

Secondary caries symptoms

The development of secondary caries in the crown of the tooth is diagnosed by the following symptoms:

  • Sensitivity to temperature changes in the filled tooth. This symptom indicates a loose fit of the material to the tooth and the presence of access to the pulp.
  • Irritants enter the holes and the tooth can hurt.
  • Darkening of hard tooth tissues. If the tooth is blackened under the filling, then such a change in the shade of the tooth indicates the presence of a cavity with pigmented dentin.
  • Such darkening should alert and cause a visit to a specialist.
  • Material mobility. If the filling material is easily moved by the tongue, then the dentin under it is destroyed. Caries is present, filling needs to be replaced.
  • Bad breath. If the patient pays due attention to oral hygiene and monitors the condition of the teeth, but the putrid smell does not disappear, this is a reason to be checked. Bacteria accumulate in the spaces between the defective filling and the tooth, and their waste products provoke the formation of a putrid odor.

The presence of darkening of the enamel and pain in the filled crown is a reason for a visit to the dentist. This situation requires re-treatment of the tooth and the installation of a new filling.

X-ray diagnosis of secondary caries

Secondary caries treatment

Treatment of secondary caries and elimination of tooth darkening occurs according to the standard scheme:

  • Removal of defective filling material.
  • Cleaning the carious cavity from altered dentin.
  • Treatment of the cavity after mechanical cleaning with an antiseptic solution.
  • Installation of a new filling material and its polymerization.

Treatment of secondary caries begins with the removal of the old filling

If you do not remove all parts of the previously damaged filling, then caries will develop again.

If it is impossible to completely remove the previous filling due to the strong destruction of the dental crown, then the specialist decides on the installation of an artificial crown.

Other reasons for darkening of crowns under fillings

Darkening of teeth is a common clinical case in dentistry. Often the problem is associated with the use of poor-quality filling materials or with their incorrect installation. But there are reasons for the discoloration of teeth.

External factors

Smoking damages the human body, provokes the development of many dangerous diseases, and affects the color of tooth enamel. Drinking a lot of coffee and black tea, and other colored drinks provokes an aggravation of the situation.

Sometimes the reason for the blackened tooth under the filling is a disease - fluorosis. Fluorosis occurs with prolonged use of foods and water with high levels of fluoride. Dark areas form on the enamel, it gradually collapses.

Smoking stains the fillings

Pathological processes in the oral cavity

Among the factors affecting the darkening of the hard tissues of the crown under the filling, there are pathological conditions of the oral cavity:

  • The presence of a fungal infection. Oral candidiasis is a dangerous fungal disease that provokes a change in the color of dental crowns and the development of pathogens.
  • Rupture of the nerve bundle due to trauma to the dental crown. At rupture, the vascular bundle fills the delicate dentin tissue with blood, and this stains the tooth from the inside.

Death of tooth tissue under the filling due to improper treatment

Reasons for darkening of the filling

In dental practice, there are cases when the filling has darkened, but the natural shade of the tooth has not changed. If darkening is found, it is necessary to seek the advice of a specialist.

Staining the filling of a coffee lover

Doctors identify the most common causes of color changes in fillings:

  1. Lack of proper oral hygiene. Despite the inertness of the filling materials to external aggressive influences, pathogenic microorganisms can accumulate in its porous structure. If oral hygiene is performed out of time, there is a high risk of darkening not only of the filling material, but also of the hard tissues of the tooth under the filling.
  2. Some filling materials discolor when colored foods and liquids are consumed. Therefore, after placing fillings on the visible parts of the dentition, it is better to abandon their excessive use. If you cannot limit the intake of drinks, then you must use a straw when drinking.
  3. Whitening procedure after filling the filling. Materials for filling are selected taking into account the natural color of the tooth at the moment of installation, and the subsequent whitening of the teeth changes their tone. They look slightly darker after bleaching and most people prefer to replace the material.

Discoloration of the surface of teeth in adults and children is not uncommon. This is a lengthy process that can take several years. If you do not do professional cleaning of the oral cavity, do not take preventive measures and neglect treatment, then dark spots will appear much faster.

Darkening of the enamel outside

The appearance of dark spots on the surface of the teeth is a signal of insufficient cleanliness of the oral cavity (we recommend reading: good remedies for stains on teeth). Plaque that is deposited on the enamel surface tends to darken. Coloring drinks, such as tea or coffee, bad habits cause staining of deposits, and unhealthy diet, hormonal disruptions and diseases internal organs can cause accelerated accumulation of plaque, which together leads to discoloration of the enamel.

Both adults and children know that teeth need to be brushed twice a day, but they both neglect it. simple rule, which should not be allowed, as this leads to the rapid formation of plaque on the enamel surface, especially at the base of the teeth. It may take less than 16 hours before the mineralization process begins, when the plaque hardens and cannot be brushed.

Initially, the deposits are light, soft and can be easily removed with a toothbrush. Then their layer thickens, acquires a gray tint, a hard mineralized plaque forms. Bacteria continue to develop under the deposits, damaging hard tissues and causing caries, which causes irreparable harm to the health of not only the crown, but also the root.

Smoker's teeth

Yellow, brown or black teeth are the hallmark of a smoker. Tobacco is the cause of teeth staining. It makes no difference whether a person smokes cigars, cigarettes, cigarettes, it's all about the substances that are contained in the inhaled and exhaled smoke: tar, soot and tar. When in contact with enamel, these components create a rather aggressive sticky film, plaque and bacteria quickly accumulate on its surface. If hygiene is neglected, the enamel will soon lose its strength and natural color.

Products with dyes

The color of the crown also changes from the frequent consumption of coloring products. A harmless daily cup of natural coffee or a mug of strong tea can cause discoloration of the enamel. The dark plaque that remains on your favorite cup settles on your teeth just as quickly. With insufficient oral hygiene, the situation is aggravated, and deposits accumulate layer by layer, hiding the natural white color of the enamel.


Coloring products also include:

The teeth of people working in metalworking or metallurgical plants and living in industrial polluted areas are also prone to darkening. Particles of metal floating in the air, like cigarette tar, stick to the enamel surface, staining it black.

If the tooth is blackened from the inside

Teeth do not always turn black from external factors, the reason why they darkened may lie deep inside.

The most common causes of darkening are:

  • previous tooth injury;
  • dying off of the pulp;
  • carious damage;
  • poorly placed seal;
  • ingress of particles of tin or silver;
  • installation of metal pins;
  • some diseases of internal organs;
  • taking certain medications;
  • pathogenic microorganisms and fungus.

Caries development

Carious lesions can form not only on the tooth surface, but also on the inside, under the filling. In this case, complete staining of tissues from the inside occurs, and from the outside the tooth will look black with a slight blue.

Caries under the filling can for a long time remain invisible. If the nerve endings in the tooth are healthy, then the destructive process will be accompanied by painful sensations, which will force the patient to visit the dental office. If the nerve has been removed, the unit can collapse under the filling completely painlessly.

Secondary caries can develop even after qualified treatment. There is such a problem as filling shrinkage. After polymerization, the material is reduced in size, forming microscopic slits. Food particles remain in them, and active reproduction of harmful microflora begins, this leads to the gradual destruction of the unit. At the same time, the patient notes that the tooth has turned black.

Death of an injured tooth

Tooth contusion is one of the common causes of discoloration of its tissues. It does not affect the bone or jaw structure. When struck, periodontal tissue can be severely damaged, which will lead to ruptures and hemorrhages. A severe bruise is accompanied by staining of the walls of the tooth from the outside and back, in the injured part, the vessels and nerve endings are torn, staining the tooth from the inside pink or black.

The effect of drugs on the tooth tissue

Some medications can change the natural color of the tooth crown to gray or brown on the inside. External staining of the enamel occurs due to the intake and chewing of preparations containing iron. These drugs are often prescribed for anemia.

It happens that the milk or permanent tooth turns black even during the formation of the rudiment. Tetracycline antibiotics are often prescribed by doctors. Why? Because they have a wide spectrum of action and a small amount side effects... One of side effects the drug is darkening of the enamel.

If the enamel has turned black for this reason, then it is impossible to whiten the tooth. This is usually due to the mother taking the antibacterial drug during pregnancy or while the baby is breastfeeding. At the same time, the teeth can be completely gray or have black stripes, spots and blotches.

Dyed bone tissue often does not affect the health of the tooth, but it needs additional strengthening with fluoride varnish to avoid unnecessary loss of microelements. It is impossible to whiten such blackening; dentists recommend other methods of treatment, for example, the installation of veneers, to make the smile whiter.

Separately, the destructive effect of drugs should be highlighted. They can cause blackening of the teeth, followed by their complete loss.

Non-dental diseases

When a front or molar tooth changes color internally and even blackens, it could indicate a health problem.

Diseases of human internal organs disrupt metabolic processes in the body, which often leads to blackening of the teeth. These include:

  • kidney disease;
  • gastritis and other diseases of the digestive system;
  • viral infections;
  • liver damage;
  • anemia of various origins;
  • malfunctions of the endocrine system;
  • metabolic disease;
  • spleen disease;
  • malignant tumors;
  • HIV, AIDS, etc.

If darkening of the teeth occurred in a child suddenly, this may indicate the presence of dysbiosis. This condition in babies under the age of three goes away on its own or with the loss of milk teeth.

Genetic predisposition

Genetics is responsible for the natural whiteness of a person's smile. People of different races differ not only in skin color, but also in the shade of tooth enamel. Some get a snow-white smile from their parents, while others are less fortunate, and along with a set of chromosomes, they get unsightly yellow teeth.

In such cases, only very dark shades of enamel, which interfere with the normal life of a person and his position in society, serve as an indication for bleaching the tooth surface. In other cases, treatment is contraindicated, as it can lead to tissue depletion. Perhaps not in vain there is an opinion that yellow teeth are stronger than snow-white ones.

Unbalanced diet and deficiency of certain substances

People who prefer quick snacks full reception food are more prone to blackening of the teeth. Lack of beneficial micronutrients and excess carbohydrates in sandwiches and sweets affect the health of dental units, and preservatives and dyes contribute to the formation of plaque, which turns black over time.

Fluorosis is a dental disease resulting in stains on the surface of units. A disease occurs due to the ingestion of a large amount of fluoride from environment... This can happen from poor quality drinking water or polluted air. Also, an ailment can occur with excessive enthusiasm for medicinal toothpastes with fluoride, which, of course, is good for the teeth, but in reasonable quantities.

Deposition of bacterial plaque and discoloration on the outside is an indication for dental cleaning and teeth whitening. Among the methods of treatment, the most popular are treatment with ultrasound, professional cleaning pastes, an abrasive solution using an irrigator or a laser.

If a wisdom tooth has darkened, you should not whiten it. Such a cosmetic problem does not pose a threat to a radiant smile, but if it hurts, you should think about removing it.

Blackening of the tooth due to the filling

Darkening of the enamel and discoloration of the tooth after filling can occur for several reasons. The most common ones are:

  • darkening of the filling from the ingress of dyes with food, especially the anterior incisors;
  • staining of the filled tooth with tobacco smoke;
  • the tooth darkened under the filling after poor-quality treatment inside;
  • installation of dark colored metal amalgams.

Almost any enamel darkening process can be stopped, prevented or cured. Lead a healthy lifestyle, eat more useful products, keep your mouth clean and be sure to visit the dentist - and a dazzling smile is guaranteed.

White, healthy teeth are more than the Hollywood standard of beauty. This is an indicator of the health of a person's oral cavity and his body as a whole. This is why teeth whitening services are gaining more and more popularity. The fact that the color of our teeth is influenced by the foods we eat (coffee and tea darken, apples and carrots whiten) seems obvious.

However, it often happens that among the white row of teeth on the gum, one suddenly begins to darken sharply. This is not only unaesthetic, but it is also considered a sign of ill health of this very tooth and, of course, a reason for an immediate visit to the dentist.

If a baby's milk tooth turns black, this is not a cause for concern. Most often, the tooth is already loose, which means that its natural necrosis has already occurred, and it is ready to fall out, giving way to a new, molar tooth. If the tooth does not fall out on its own and causes pain and inconvenience to the child, the child should be taken to the dentist to help with the removal.

Of course, the front and back teeth sometimes darken due to smoking, or when coloring pigments penetrate the enamel. For example, there is no point in worrying if a tooth darkens after eating blueberries. But if the color of the tooth is radically different from the rest, it is most often a signal of problems inside the tooth. The tooth may darken after a blow, or after removal of a nerve.
It is worth remembering that not only the enamel is responsible for the color of the tooth, but also the dentin - the next layer under it. If the dentine color has changed, then the blackness or blueness of the tooth will still show through the enamel. The teeth themselves turn black for the following reasons:

  • advanced caries (including secondary);
  • staining of the pulp with materials used for filling;
  • transillumination of pins under the seal;
  • pulp necrosis;
  • improper treatment.

It is important to know if the darkening of the tooth was caused by any intervention or if it happened on its own. For example, if this was preceded by an injury, removal of a nerve or filling - this may be the reason. If a tooth without a nerve has darkened after the canals were sealed, this may indicate that the removal of the nerve was incorrect. If, at the same time, the tooth also hurts, immediately contact your dentist, and in no case in the clinic where you had the wrong endodontic intervention.

When there is no longer a nerve in a tooth, it is considered dead. Its pulp is deprived of nutrition, therefore, self-healing does not occur. These teeth most often crumble and become brittle. The tooth may darken after improper cleaning of the root canals, if the doctor missed the organic residues there. Organic matter begins to decompose, dentin darkens and accordingly stains the dead tooth. Re-cleaning is required.
A more serious cause is pulp necrosis. The help of a specialist is needed immediately. Pulp necrosis (or death) is most often caused by dental infections (treated with antibiotics), which tend to spread to the gums and adjacent healthy teeth.

Treatment of darkening of the tooth at home and folk remedies

In no case. Not a single attempt to cure sick teeth on their own using "grandmother's methods" has been successful. Rather, in this way, you can only bring the problem to an extreme case, when an innocent darkened tooth can cause infection of the whole body and even hospitalization.

Gargling with herbs, applying propolis to the affected tooth, various homemade ointments - all this can be considered as part of prevention, but not as the main method of treatment.
It is strictly forbidden to warm a sick tooth with a compress, as the sympathetic neighbors advise. If the cause of the darkening is an infection, then in the warmth it will bloom in a violent color.

One way or another, if the tooth has darkened and hurts, you cannot do without a visit to the dentist.

The dentist, in turn, should find out the cause of the darkening based on the patient's history and clinical picture, after which he will establish the correct treatment tactics.

If the cause of the darkening is only caries, then the treatment will be the easiest. The dentist will remove the affected tissue, select the correct shade of restorative material, and heal the tooth. With the most favorable development of events, the tooth will remain alive, and will no longer cause any aesthetic or physical problems.

If a tooth is recognized as dead (for example, the nerve died out by itself or had to be removed), treatment will require an individual approach. It is no longer as strong as living teeth, which means that other methods of treatment must be selected.

And although modern dentistry already knows a lot of techniques in which you can restore a smile to its original appearance, the best way avoid dental problems - their prevention, that is, compliance with oral hygiene, correct diet and avoiding traumatic situations.

When a tooth is darkened, the following treatment options are possible:

  • intracanal bleaching;
  • restoration;
  • veneers;
  • crown.

Cigarettes and brightly colored foods can darken an individual tooth if there are cracks in the enamel. Then the pigment penetrates into the inner layer of dentin and changes its shade.

If a tooth has darkened, the dentist will suggest a way to lighten the enamel, depending on the cause

In babies, the change in the shade of the teeth occurs due to dysbiosis, the use of fluoridated toothpaste and lowered immunity. Tooth decay can also lead to unsightly stains on the teeth in children and adults. But most often you will notice that the tooth has darkened after treatment.

This happens for the following reasons:

  • internal tissues of the tooth are stained with filling composites;
  • crown pins shine through the enamel;
  • developed pulp necrosis.

The shade of the enamel changes when the nerves are removed. The tooth becomes dead: nutrients are not supplied to its tissues. Color change is also possible due to incorrect treatment. If the root canals are not completely cleaned out, organic debris will decompose and stain the surrounding dentin.

What to do if the tooth is darkened?

First you need to determine the reasons for the change in shade. This can only be done by an experienced dentist. He will offer treatment options. It may be enough to remove traces of caries and place a filling made of a material close in tone to the natural color of the teeth.

If the tooth enamel has darkened for other reasons, there are several techniques to restore the glow to the smile. These include:

Endodontic whitening;

Direct restoration;

Installation of a veneer - a thin ceramic plate that is glued to the surface of the tooth.

In a difficult case, the doctor will offer to hide an ugly tooth behind a crown.

Whitening is the easiest option, but the tooth will become more fragile. And it is impossible to give a 100% guarantee that the enamel will not differ from other teeth.

The composite material easily absorbs colorants. For those who love coffee and smoke, there is no point in choosing this method.

We recommend reading

Up