As we age, our teeth often yellow. However, teeth turning orange and brown in color are often a sign that the nerve in the tooth has died. This often happens after a tooth has be bumped or hit and it may happen very soon after the accident or may take years. Such coloring requires immediate attention from our dental office in Brookings.
All teeth whether baby or adult teeth have a blood supply and a nerve that enters through the root. If a tooth is hit hard enough, these arteries, nerves and veins are disrupted. Broken blood vessels in the tooth will result in a brown and orange color. While the discoloration may be gradual and not painful, a more serious process called resorption may be occurring. Resorption often is caused by trauma and results in the root of the tooth being eaten away. This can lead to tooth and bone loss.
These teeth often require root canal treatment and such therapy should be completed as soon as possible to prevent resorption of the tooth root or infection. The orange color can often be conservatively resolved with internal bleaching. If the coloring cannot be resolved with whitening, it may require a veneer or crowning the tooth. If you have any questions, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Jordan.
