Stained teeth: diagnose the stain, then treat it.
Surface stain usually whitens. Gray, banded, spotty or single-tooth discoloration often needs a different approach. We'll tell you which you have.
What's the best treatment for stained teeth?
Start by finding out what kind of stain it is. Surface (extrinsic) stain from coffee, tea, wine and tobacco usually responds well to a professional cleaning and whitening. Deeper (intrinsic) discoloration, such as gray banding, fluorosis, white spots or one dark tooth, often needs bonding, resin infiltration or veneers instead.
Which stain, which fix.
| Stain | Typical cause | First option to discuss |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow or brown surface stain | Coffee, tea, wine, tobacco, age | Cleaning + whitening |
| Gray or banded discoloration | Certain childhood antibiotics, developmental | Bonding or veneers; whitening is often limited |
| White spots | Early demineralization, fluorosis, after braces | Microabrasion, resin infiltration or bonding |
| One dark tooth | Old trauma, root canal | X-ray + vitality test, then internal whitening or a restoration |
| Stained edges of old fillings | Ageing composite | Replace or re-polish the restoration |
The mistakes we help people avoid.
Abrasive "whitening" products. Charcoal and gritty pastes can scrub away surface stain while wearing down enamel. Thinner enamel shows more of the yellower dentin underneath, so teeth can end up looking darker.
Whitening around old restorations. Whitening teeth with front fillings or crowns leaves those restorations the old color. Plan it, don't discover it.
Veneers for a stain that would have whitened. If whitening can do it, veneers aren't needed for color. That's one of the cases in our guide to when veneers aren't right.
Related: Teeth whitening · Dental bonding · When veneers aren't right · Chipped teeth · Cosmetic dentistry in Sacramento · Veneer cost guide
Real cases: Composite veneers for white spots and decay · e.max crown for one discolored tooth · Zirconia crowns replacing stained bonding · Zirconia crowns for worn, stained front teeth
Visit Lush Dental Studio in Natomas
Lush Dental Studio is at 2860 Del Paso Rd #300, Sacramento, CA 95834, in Natomas. We're open Mon–Fri 8am–5pm and Saturday 8am–2pm. Four doctors, led by founder Dr. Moid Khan, DDS, FICOI, FAGD, practice here alongside our in-house dental lab.
We're in-network with most PPO plans and verify your benefits before treatment (we don't participate in HMO or Medi-Cal / Denti-Cal plans). Book online or call (916) 619-7172.
Your questions, answered.
Why won't my stains whiten?
Why is only one of my teeth dark?
Can white spots on teeth be fixed?
Will whitening change my fillings or crowns?
How much does it cost to treat stained teeth?
Find out what's behind the stain.
Free cosmetic consultation ($150 value) includes X-rays and a shade assessment.
Book My Free Consult Or call (916) 619-7172 · Saturdays 8am–2pm.