What can be done to prevent black spots on the teeth?

Question

Hello doctor,

My mother is 50 years old, and I have observed black spots on her teeth for the past three months (she had two black spots on two teeth from childhood but for the other tooth the black spots are newly appearing on top of the upper tooth). Could you please help with the cause and suggest what should be done now as the decay is also passing to other teeth?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

From the pictures that you have shared (attachments removed to protect the patient’s identity), I can see that the blackish spots seem to be a combination of arrested caries and stains. Since the other teeth are also showing abrasion and calculus, I confirm these spots to be a combination of stains (erosion- chemical waste and tear or some birth disease) and caries. However, for exact confirmation, X-rays are a must to see the amount of damage. The treatment options are:

Scaling (preferably manual) followed by RCT (root canal treatment) for abrasions, restorations (light cure), and capping.
Veneers can also be placed for black spots but after confirmation of caries.
In case of mobility, you need to have a splint also.
Finally, I would suggest she undergoes an X-ray of that particular tooth for further treatment options. Please do not go for bleaching.

I hope this helps you.

Thanks.

Regards.