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ABSTRACT
Purpose: There has been a recent increasing interest in the management of dental
staining as shown by the large number of tooth whitening materials appearing in the
market. The aim of this review is to search the literature regarding tooth discoloration in
order to introduce a new classification in terms of different clinical colors.
Methods: The PubMed database was searched for articles pertaining to the topic
between the year 1932 and 2012. The search strategy for PubMed based on MeSH terms
was: “tooth discoloration”, OR “tooth discolorations”, OR “tooth diseases”, OR “tooth
bleaching”.
Results: Based on the relevant evidence, it was shown that tooth discoloration can be
found in nine different color spectrums: black, brown, blue, green, grey, orange, pink,
red, and yellow. Each color may represent various origins, which needs further
investigations to be revealed.
Clinical significance: Our new classification based on clinical features of discolored
teeth helps clinicians achieve timely diagnosis and avoid inappropriate therapeutic
measures.
INTRODUCTION
The aesthetic appearance of teeth has an important role in physical attractiveness of each
person. Discoloration of teeth is a more critical factor for many individuals to achieve an
aesthetic smile than restoring normal alignment of teeth within their arch [1-3]. According to
a recent study by Samorodnizky-Naveh, 37.3% of subjects were dissatisfied with their dental
appearance, and tooth color was the main reason for about 90% of them [4]. Therefore, it is
crucial for dental practitioners to have an understanding of the etiology and clinical
Tel: +98-21-29902311, Fax: +98-21-22403194, Email: marbahar@gmail.com
18 Hamed Mortazavi, Maryam Baharvand, and Amin Khodadoustan
presentation of tooth discoloration in order to make a diagnosis and select the most
appropriate treatment for each case [5].
Normally, teeth composed of many colors and a gradation of colors occurs in a single
tooth from gingival to the incisal edge. Because of the close contact of the dentin below the
enamel and thinning of the enamel the gingival third of teeth is darker than incisal third.
These differences in color may also be related to the thickness and translucency of enamel
and dentine. In most cases canine teeth are usually darker than central and lateral incisors.
Meanwhile, teeth become darker with age, so younger people have lighter teeth especially in
the primary dentition. This discoloration may be caused by the deposition of secondary and
tertiary dentine and pulp stones as a physiological senile change. Historically, tooth
discoloration has been classified as intrinsic or extrinsic in nature. Furthermore, a third
category of "Internalized discoloration" has recently been described (Box 1).
Intrinsic discoloration (ID) occurs following a change to the structural composition or
thickness of the dental hard tissues during tooth development (Box2). On the other hand, ID
occurs when the chromogen agents are deposited within the bulk of the tooth, especially in
the dentine, and are often of systemic or pulpal origin. This classification is divided into six
subgroups: 1) metabolic, 2) hereditary 3) iatrogenic 4) traumatic 5) idiopathic and 6) ageing
causes.
Extrinsic discoloration (ED) occurs when chromogen agents are deposited on tooth
surface or in the acquired pellicle. This classification can be divided into two subtypes: 1) non
metallic (direct staining), and 2) metallic (indirect staining).
Internalized discoloration describes the changes in normal tooth color because of dental
caries, tooth wearing and gingival recession, cracks and restorative materials. [2,5,6].
In contrast to all previous papers, in this review article we listed tooth discoloration based
on their color, which may help understand tooth discoloration and their causes more
practically.
LITERATURE SEARCH
The aim of this review was to search the literature regarding tooth discoloration in order
to introduce a new classification in terms of different clinical colors. The PubMed data base
was searched for relevant articles between the year 1932 and 2012.The following inclusion
criteria were used: extrinsic and intrinsic factors in tooth discoloration, chromogenic bacteria
and tooth staining, foods and tooth staining, medications and tooth discoloration, salivary
parameters and tooth staining, various dental materials and tooth discoloration, systemic
disease and tooth discoloration, habits and tooth staining. Exclusion criteria were articles
published in languages other than English and those without full texts.
The search concept based on MeSH terms was: “tooth discoloration, OR “tooth
discolorations”, OR “tooth diseases”, OR “tooth bleaching”. Totally 4371 articles were
initially found in PubMed, which their title and abstract were read to find the evidence met
our inclusion criteria mostly. Out of the relevant papers, 253 were review articles, 528 were
case reports, and the remainders 784 were clinical studies. Different color changes may be
found in discolored teeth as follows:
Colors in Tooth Discoloration 19
Environmental Hereditary
Prenatal Post natal Only teeth involved Accompanied by
systemic disorders
Maternal Drug therapy -Amelogenesis -Epidemolysis
drug therapy [tetracycline, fluoride] imperfecta bullosa
[Tetracycline] Hematopoietic disorders -Dentinogenesis -Erythropoietic
Maternal Erythroblastosis fetalis, imperfecta porphyria
infection Icterus gravis -Dentin dysplasia -Osteogenesis
Pregnancy neonatorum, imperfecta
toxemia Sickle cell anemia,
thalassemia
Infection
Measles, Chicken pox,
Scarlet fever
Nutritional deficiencies
Box 3. Drugs related to tooth discoloration [5-9, 11, 13, 16, 21, 23, 26]
Ciprofloxacin Pentamidine
Clarithromycin Perindopril
Co-amoxiclave Propafenone
Enalapril Quinapril
Essential oil Ramipril
Etidronate Terbinafine
Fosinopril Tetracycline
Metronidazole Trandolpril
Minocycline Zopiclone
Penicilline
Black:
Primary and permanent teeth with black-stains are frequently encountered in
schoolchildren with good oral hygiene and low caries rate. As this type of staining
contains an insoluble iron salt, ferric sulphide, and high levels of calcium and
inorganic phosphor, it has been considered to be a special form of dental plaque.
Actinomyces, porphyromonas gingivalis, and prevotella melaninogenicus have been
found as the predominant microorganisms involved in black staining [10,11].
However, Saba according to a PCR microbiological study, established the leading
role of actinomyces in formation of black staining compared to other microorganisms
[12]. .The underlying mechanism of bacterial chromogenicity has to be elucidated
Colors in Tooth Discoloration 21
Black discoloration has also been found in people using iron supplements, containing
high amounts of iodine, and in iron foundry workers as well. Furthermore, the same
clinical manifestations were reported after use of 8% stannous fluoride that was
secondary to the combination of stannous (tin) ion with bacterial sulfides. This
pigmentation usually occurs in people with poor oral hygiene. The labial surface of
anterior teeth and the occlusal surface of the posterior teeth are the most common
affected sites [6,9].
A large number of medications may result in dental surface staining (Box 3). Like
other tetracycline derivatives, minocycline hydrochloride causes discoloration of
dental crowns and roots. Although the real mechanism is unknown, minocycline has
been shown to be incorporated into mineralizing dental tissues during tooth
formation [7]. In addition to teeth, it induces pigmentation in other tissues such as
oral mucosa, nails, skin, and bone. However, only 3% to 8% of long-term users
become affected. Several patterns of staining have been noted in the dentition. For
example, the root of developing teeth is stained dark black [9]. Other patterns will be
described in next parts of this paper .
Various materials used for root canal therapy may induce tooth discoloration,
because of un-reacted agents, or corrosion of some components owing to moisture
and/or chemical interaction with dentine. As an example, AH26, epoxy resin cement
containing bismuth trioxide as a filler and radiopaque material, can lead to black
discoloration in teeth after years [13].The same results were also reported by Davis
[14].
hydroxyapatite crystals [27]. Since it can cross the placental barrier, it must be
avoided from 29 weeks of pregnancy till delivery to prevent incorporation into the
dental tissue. The most critical time to avoid tetracycline for the prevention of tooth
discoloration in primary dentition is 4 months of uterus to 5 months post-partum. In
the permanent dentition, this period is from 4 months of infancy to approximately 7
years of age [5]. It is noteworthy that there is no association between tetracycline
staining and dental caries [16].
Dental fluorosis is the most common cause of intrinsic tooth pigmentation. The
negative effects of fluoride on the enamel were first described by Dean in 1932 [28].
Dental fluorosis may arise endemically from natural water supplies, or fluoride
containing products. Fluorosis occurs when concentrations of fluoride exceeds 1ppm
in drinking water. The severity of pigmentation is age and dose dependent. Both
primary and permanent dentitions can be affected [6,16].
Alkaptonuria is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder. Incomplete metabolism
of phenylalanine and tyrosine promotes aggregation of homogentisic acid with a
brown discoloration of permanent teeth has been reported in patients with
alkaptonuria [29].
Dentine dysplasia type II is an autosomal dominant hereditary disorder that exhibits
some features of dentinigenesis imperfecta. Clinically, the teeth have a brown
discoloration similar to DI [9].
Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is associated with a brown enamel
discoloration. Enamel in incisors and first permanent molars are severely
hypomineralized. Hypomineralization is not symmetrical and the appearance of
enamel is porous and brittle. The possible causes are: infections during early
childhood, dioxin in breast milk and genetic factors [30].
Sodium hypochloride is a bleaching agent without potential for dental discoloration.
However, Souza observed a brown pigmentation when NaOCl was combined with
chlorhexidine [31].
Orange, Orange-Red
The orange discoloration is less common than brown or green and was reported in
3% of the population. It usually occurs on the labial surface of mandibular and
maxillary anterior teeth at the gingival third [16].
Chromogenic bacteria such as serratia marcescens and flavobacterium have
important roles in this type of staining, especially in children with poor oral hygiene
[5,16].
Some root canal cements may also have potential to cause tooth discoloration. van
der Bungt reported orange-red tooth discoloration after use of Grossman's, zinc
oxide/eugenol, and endometasone cements [42].
Pink
Trauma-related stains may create a pink to grey discoloration in the teeth. The real
mechanism of color change is not fully understood. Apparently, different colors
represent different entities, some of which are related to pulpal damage with
subsequent healing, whereas others result from pulpal necrosis [43]. Pink
discoloration is usually seen one to three weeks after traumatic injuries because of
localized vascular damage [9].
Colors in Tooth Discoloration 25
Pink discoloration is a common clinical finding in teeth with internal resorption. This
condition is asymptomatic and usually detected through routine radiographic
examinations. The pink staining results from accumulation of granulation tissue in
the coronal dentine, undermining the crown. Infection and traumatic injuries to the
pulp tissue are the main causes of internal resorption as well as orthodontic
treatment. Radiographically, there is a punched out radiolucency, which disturb the
pulp chamber or root canal space [44,45]. In these cases endodontic treatments
should be done promptly, because extension of the defect can lead to a periodontal
involvement.
Color change in the teeth can also occur as a result of materials used for endodontic
treatments. van der Burgt and davis demonstrated a pink discoloration after use of
some root canal cements such as Tubli-seal, Diaket anf Roth’801 in the teeth [14,42].
A similar pink or red discoloration has been reported in the maxillary incisors of
lepromatous leprosy patients. Since the causative microorganism prefers low
temperatures, teeth are involved in selected areas [9,46].
darker in eruption period, but the color diminishes with time [5]. The same
appearances were also reported after use of oxytetracycline and ciprofloxacine [8,9].
Yellow-green discoloration was found in patients with erythroblastosis fetalis
(because of incorporation of bilirubin in the developing dentitions), sickle cell
anemia and thalassemia [due to deposition of blood pigments within the dentinal
tubules] [16].
Remaining of intra-canal medicaments such as Iodine-potassium iodide( Iodoform-
based medicaments) and UltraCal XS during the endodontic treatments can result to
a yellow to yellowish brown staining in the teeth [18,40].
Some habits such as smoking [cigars or cigarettes] or chewing of Khat (Catha edulis)
leaves for its stimulant properties may produce yellow-brown dental staining [16].
CONCLUSION
Many color changes can be encountered when dealing with tooth discoloration. Approach
to the patient with discolored teeth might be more efficiently accomplished using our new
classification based on clinical findings rather than previously etiology- oriented
categorizations.
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