You look in the mirror and notice one of your teeth has turned dark or black. It's probably not something you imagined — and it's not something to ignore.
A tooth changes colour when the nerve inside it has died or is dying. This usually happens after an injury, a deep cavity, or a crack that let bacteria get inside. When the pulp — the living core of the tooth — becomes infected, it breaks down and leaves behind dark pigments that seep into the surrounding dentine.
How Do You Know If Your Tooth Is Dead or Dying?
Discolouration is one sign. Your tooth might look grey, brown, or black compared to the ones next to it. It might also feel tender when you chew, or you may have noticed lingering sensitivity to hot or cold that wasn't there before. Sometimes there is pain; sometimes there is none at all, especially if the nerve has been dead for a while.
Your dentist can confirm what's happening with an examination and an X-ray. That step is important because the issue could be something else entirely — and treatment depends on knowing exactly what's going on.
Can It Actually Be Saved?
Yes — many black teeth can be saved, and the most common way to do it is with root canal treatment. The procedure removes the infected or dead pulp from inside the tooth, cleans the canals, and seals them up. Once the tooth is healed, a crown is usually placed over it to protect it from fracturing.
After a root canal, the tooth is no longer alive in the traditional sense — but it stays in your mouth and functions just like any other tooth. The discolouration itself can sometimes be lifted with internal bleaching after the root canal, or the crown simply covers it up entirely.
In some cases, especially if the tooth is badly fractured or the bone around it has been damaged, extraction might be the only option. Your dentist will talk you through whether saving the tooth is the right goal for your situation.
What Should You Do Right Now?
Book an appointment. The sooner a dying tooth is assessed, the more options you typically have. An infection that starts in a tooth can spread to the bone and beyond — it's not something to wait on.
If your tooth has already turned black, don't panic. There are reliable, well-established ways to treat it. Your dentist will guide you through the options and help you decide what makes the most sense.
Call 01323 723757 or book at www.meadsdental.com
Meads Village Dental Practice