The Difference between Intrinsic and Extrinsic

Tooth Stains By Robert Madden

Owner of Southwest Family Dentistry in Littleton, Colorado, Robert Madden, DDS, MBA, attracts patients from all over the Denver area. In addition to providing excellent preventive and restorative care, Dr. Robert Madden is a cosmetic dentist who corrects tooth stains with several types of aesthetic procedures, depending on the cause of the discoloration.

Most people are familiar with extrinsic tooth stains, which usually affect only the enamel, the shiny, hard outer tooth layer.

Introduction

These discolorations are a result of certain oral habits, such as smoking or chewing tobacco products, or drinking coffee or other dark beverages. If extrinsic stains are not addressed with regular professional teeth cleanings, and the offending habit is continued, the stains can then make their way into the second tooth layer. Called dentin, this layer is softer than the enamel and more easily absorbs discolorations.

Intrinsic stains originate on the inside of the tooth but show through the outer layers. Patients who took the antibiotic tetracycline at a young age or whose mothers took it during pregnancy may have permanent teeth with a grayish hue.

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Tooth Stains

Those who were exposed to too much fluoride in the water supply during childhood may have white spots on their teeth. Trauma that affects the pulp at the center of the tooth may cause the tooth to darken.

Most extrinsic stains can be eliminated with a professional whitening treatment administered by a dentist. Some intrinsic stains may respond to this treatment as well. However, the patient may need to undergo a slightly more involved cosmetic procedure, such as dental bonding or porcelain veneers, to cover up the stains.

Conclusion