How to differentiate a cavity from a stain?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have seen the attached picture (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity) and I want to know firstly from when did you notice this brown cavity or stain? When was your last visit to the dentist or is it the first time you are consulting the dentist? Do you have any history of drinking borewell water or fluoridated water in your childhood? Your stains definitely seem to be chronic. Based on these answers, I will diagnose your issue.

Please revert back with answers.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

If it gets bigger with time, as per the image you have enclosed it is likely to be a cavity in the front part of your tooth. It is definitely esthetic to drill and cover it with a filling that matches your tooth shade. Your dentist will have fillings with different tooth shades like A1, A2, B1, B2 etc, etc. so they will match the shade of your natural tooth with their filling. In case they tell you after examining in the clinic that it is a stain and not a cavity, then it would be difficult to eliminate it and instead bleaching should be done. It is likely to be a cavity and it can be filled easily.

I hope it helps.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, definitely you should get it filled for the purpose of restoring the chipped enamel of the tooth as it happens in cavitation. Or it can further progress to a root canal if it is getting bigger with time. In the case of dental fluorosis, stains, and remineralization paste might help but only to some extent.

I hope this helps.