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How To Treat Intrinsic Tooth Stains

Happy dentist patient

When we think of tooth stains, we often consider the common discoloration that happens over time from tobacco use or consuming dark colored foods and drinks, such as coffee, red wine or berries. This are the most common type of tooth stains, known as extrinsic stains. However, not all dental discolorations occur on the outside of the tooth. There is another type of tooth staining, called intrinsic staining. These occur from within the tooth and affect the inner dentin layer as opposed to the enamel or outer layer of the tooth.

How can a tooth show discoloration from inside? There are several reasons why the inner dentin layer of a tooth becomes brown or yellow and inevitably affects the way the tooth looks on the outside. Compared to extrinsic staining, intrinsic staining is not always in your control. The following are the most common causes of intrinsic tooth stains:

  • Certain medications (tetracycline, etc)
  • Excessive fluoride (fluorosis)
  • Oral trauma (when blood from a damaged pulp fills the small tubes inside the tooth)

The Good News and Bad News About Treating Intrinsic Tooth Stains

Unfortunately, intrinsic staining does not respond to teeth whitening treatment like extrinsic stains. This means that your efforts and investments in whitening kits, whitening toothpaste or bleaching treatments may all be in vain. Don’t worry – this does NOT mean you are stuck with your stained or dingy smile.

Intrinsic tooth stains can be treated. Instead of eliminating the stain, cosmetic dentistry offers options to “cover up” the discoloration. Patients may choose porcelain veneers, dental crowns or dental bonding depending on the severity of the stains and how many teeth are affected. These are excellent solutions that can give you permanent white teeth and a confident smile going forward.

Are you embarrassed by a single stained tooth? Or perhaps your smile is just dingy or yellow in general? We can help at the office of Mitzi Morris, DMD. We can quickly determine whether your stains are intrinsic or extrinsic and provide an effective treatment option to give you the white smile you are looking for. Be sure to schedule your consult with a talented cosmetic dentist in Roswell.

Posted on behalf of Mitzi D. Morris

1297 Hembree Rd Suite 202
Roswell, GA 30076

Phone: 678-459-2990

Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Our Patient Reviews

Mitzi D. Morris, DMD, PC

4.8/ 5.0

Based on 44 reviews

  • Dr. Morris is an excellent dentist. Her ability to relate to her patients makes her a stand-out amongst those in her profession. She practices dentistry with superior technique and care. Her staff is friendly, helpful, and accommodating. I feel she hires only the best! One special mention: I suffer from panic attacks at times- along with claustrophobia. Dr. Morris is the first dentist I have ever had who helped calm my fears. Thus, my experience exceeded expectations! Great service!

    Cathy Q
  • Definitely would recommend Dr. Morris to anyone. She has been my dentist for over 8 years! Dr. Morris is extremely personable and is serious about the completing the best care possible. Great established dental team! Very accommodating to your schedule.

    Kelly T
  • Great and very educational experience. Compared to my last two dentists this experience blows them both out of the water. The staff is very friendly, and very helpful. I had to go in for a total of four visits a few weeks apart from each other. They made me feel very comfortable the entire time and kept making sure I was pleased. Getting a deep cleaning went very smoothly. It was also brought to my attention that the way I was flossing was incorrect. And have since changed methods. I worked specifically with Dr. Morris. She was very nice, and took the time to explain things. Which is a huge plus for me. Dr. Morris and the staff members worked effortlessly together. I was comfortable enough to sit back and relax, strangely enough, while having cavities drilled and fillings put in. Billing and scheduling appointments, as well as follow up for confirmation of upcoming appointments was very easy. I will say my favorite part of the experience was how friendly of an environment the staff has created. That alone is deserving of a 5 star review, and the rest is honestly icing on the cake. I highly recommend this practice on all fronts and will continue using them!

    Eric F
  • I transferred from a long-term and very good relationship with my former dentist because of a move, and I was a little apprehensive about a new dentist. Dr. Morris has been great. She is friendly, patient-concerned and the office is new, comfortable and clean. Everyone seems to enjoy working there. I feel like I'm in good hands!

    Christopher P
  • Dr. Morris and her staff are very professional. Additionally, she as well as her staff have an excellent "bedside manner." The office is new and well equipped. If one has an appointment and an earlier one opens up, Dr. Morris offers it to her patients as she did with my last appointment.

    David G
  • I have never met a staff so nice and charming. This staff will make you feel comfortable and relaxed in Dr. Morris's Spa like office and everyone is professional and approachable too. Andrea R. explained the process of my appointment and procedures and is definitely a highly-educated and thorough dental hygenist -- SHE IS A ROCKSTAR. I'm so glad that Dr. Morris and her dental team have been my "go-to" for the last 5 years, and I wont be going anywhere else! Overall - A++ Dr. Morris...highly recommended to my family and friends!!!

    Adam O
  • I've been a patient of Dr. Mitzi Morris for many years, and recommend her without reservation. The office is modern. clean and spacious. The staff has always been welcoming and very helpful. And the women who work for her as dental technicians are fantastic; they do a professional and effective deep cleaning, but with a careful, gentle touch. It is clear to me that Dr. Morris reads her professional journals and upgrades her practice to stay very current with the latest best practices in dentistry. (I have had some dentists who stopped updating their practices after leaving dental school!) With Dr. Morris you can count on receiving the very latest dental technology. Her prices are very fair, and I have never been surprised by an unexpected cost or had problems with insurance not covering services rendered.

    Bruce C
  • I have never experienced an office so down to earth, so outgoing and so willing to satisfy. If you've grown to dread the dentist then lay down your sword and give this office a shot.

    Marc Mamane

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Contact Us

Phone

678-459-2990

Office Hours

Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

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Address

1297 Hembree Rd Suite 202
Roswell, GA 30076

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