Noticed incisor looks greyish. Reasurance please

[deborah]

I recently noticed my left upper incisor has a greyish tinge to the upper part of it just above the bracket. The lower part seems to be ok and the back of the the tooth is not discoloured. I have been scaring myself by reading that it could be caused by nerve damage and that the tooth may die and drop out! It is not painfull and I have not knocked it or anything. It isn't a tooth that has had excessive pressure put on it either as it has been my back teeth that have had all the pressure on to close the gaps. Can someone tell me will it return to normal? It's another week before I go back to the ortho and I am really worrying as I don't want to have a crown or anything. Has this happened to anyone eles and has your tooth been ok once the brace is removed? I am due to have the brace removed, hopefully next week if all is well.

[starzz]

It could just be staining that can be cleaned up by the hygienist after you get the braces off. I would ask your ortho about the tooth and plan to see your regular dentist soon after braces are removed.

A tooth can turn grey when the nerve is dying. It would not necessarily be painful. If the nerve dies you would need a root canal in near future to preserve the tooth. I've heard that you could have knocked a tooth years ago and it dies much later. If this is what you have the tooth would stay discolored and might even get darker. I read there is a cosmetic bleaching that can be done internally for a front tooth with root canal; that might be something to research. The dentist will use X-rays to diagnose a dead / dying nerve.

Congrats on finishing ortho treatment.

[AnnR]

Just re-asking this question. One of my teeth appears to be a bit grey/dark-colour just at the bottom of the tooth. I only noticed it the day after my last ortho visit. He didnt mention it so I assume it wasnt noticeable then. Any ideas? i am now paranoid and obsessed with looking at it! I don't think it is a food-stain.

[Snowglobe32]

Do you have metal brackets? They can make teeth appear to have a grayish tint.

[AnnR]

no clear ceramics

my hubby thinks Im panicking over nothing!