Differential Diagnosis of Tooth Discoloration | Medicalalgorithms.com

Description

The cause of tooth discoloration can often be determined based on the color, dental examination and clinical history.

Location of the discoloration in or on the teeth:

(1) extrinsic: with exterior of the tooth cleaned, the discoloration is reduced

(2) instrinsic: discoloration persists despite cleaning

Number of teeth involved:

(1) localized: one or a few teeth involved, with others unaffected

(2) generalized: all or most teeth affected

Etiology	Instrinsic vs Extrinsic	Color	Comment
poor oral hygiene	extrinsic	brown, black	generalized
smoking	extrinsic	brown, black	generalized
coffee or tea	extrinsic	brown	generalized
wine	extrinsic	red, purple	generalized
drugs (iron, antibiotics, etc.)	extrinsic	brown, black	generalized
betel nut chewing	extrinsic	brown, black	generalized
trauma	instrinsic	yellow, brown	localized
caries	instrinsic	brown, black, white	localized
restorative material	instrinsic	black, silver, gold	localized
internal resorption	instrinsic	pink	localized
tetracyclines	instrinsic	brown	generalized
excessive fluoride	instrinsic	brown, white	generalized
amelogenesis imperfecta	instrinsic	brown	generalized
dentinogenesis imperfecta	instrinsic	brown, purple	generalized
bilirubin (kernicterus, etc)	instrinsic	green	generalized
porphyria	instrinsic	red	generalized

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