How do you fix a dark dead tooth?

A tooth usually turns grey or brown after an old knock or deep decay killed the nerve, or after an old root canal. The first step is health, not cosmetics: is there infection or an abscess at the root tip, and is any previous root canal sound? If the nerve is dead and untreated, root canal treatment usually comes first, because covering an infected tooth with a veneer or crown only hides the problem. That is why Dr. Khalid Saeed begins with an examination and X-rays.

Once the root is healthy, the colour options follow. In some cases a root-treated tooth can be bleached internally, with whitening material placed inside the tooth. It is the least invasive option, but it does not always work and the colour can return. If the tooth is strong and largely intact, a veneer can be a good choice, though masking a very dark tooth takes careful choice of thickness and opacity.

If the tooth is weak, heavily filled or broken, a crown is usually better because it protects it from fracture. For front teeth, an E.max crown is often preferred for its translucency, or a translucent zirconia if the bite is heavy. The hardest part is making one tooth match its neighbours exactly, so the shade is matched with photos and try-ins and the crown can be made at Creative Art Dental Lab in Dubai. If the other teeth are yellow, teeth whitening may be suggested first so the crown is matched to the new shade.

If you have a dark tooth, send a clear daylight photo and any old X-rays on WhatsApp. The examination will show whether you need a root canal and which option fits, and this goes into a written plan with the price. See also yellow and discoloured teeth.

• X-ray first: nerve and root status
• Internal bleaching: least invasive, in selected cases
• Veneer: strong tooth needing a colour change
• E.max or zirconia crown: weak or heavily filled tooth
• Whiten other teeth first if you want a brighter match