Understanding Apical Stains
Vascularity in the dentine (pulp) – Paired-Stained Molars The remaining 50% of the pulp contained a stained pulp matrix (staining intensity of either green or red) that was also seen on the decline for both engine types. The majority of staining (67%) occurred at the end of the pulp tissue (the pulp matrix), in the apical or lingual region. There were few cases where a yellow or brown stain in an area adjacent to the pulp matrix could not be seen with conventional stains. While this is not a definitive stain type, it can provide information about the type of pulp and dentin that may have been involved in producing the staining.
Most of the pulp matrix stains appeared as a purplish color in our clinical laboratory analysis. These stains have a consistency similar to that of a coffee cup with coffee grounds in it. The staining also has a slightly bitter taste. Most cases did not cause any distortion to the tooth surface.
Apical staining is often accompanied by a yellow staining of the pulp matrix. This yellowed flesh takes on a dark yellow or brown hue when stained with conventional dyes. Apical spots are usually found on the exposed upper surfaces of teeth where the surface of the tooth is exposed to direct light. If a macula is present on the pulp matrix, it is most likely that a yellow colored pulp is present adjacent to the colored pulp matrix.
Most cases of apical staining have been associated with overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light (usually from sunlight). It is known to cause a variety of skin conditions, including dermatitis. However, it has recently been found that excessive exposure to ultraviolet light can also cause significant damage to tooth enamel.
The presence of a yellow colored pulp, combined with the presence of an abnormal macula on the surface of the tooth, indicates that there may have been trauma to the tooth and / or gum area. If there is an injury, it can be corrected, but in most cases it is not. possible.
Tooth wear plays a very important role in determining the ability of a tooth to maintain its natural color. Colored pulp that does not lend itself to conventional stain removal can result in a macular stain on the surface of the tooth. Due to the ability of this stress to change over time, it can lead to an irregular pattern of tooth wear and even missing teeth. Although dentists can usually restore these stains to their original color, this discoloration is called a persistent stain.
Some cases of persistent stain require that the affected tooth is removed
In such cases, a periodontal procedure will be recommended. During the procedure, the affected tooth will be taken out in order to extract the pulp from the tooth's surface.
Apical stains can occur in any tooth but tend to be more common in children than in adults. Most children (including adults) experience this condition during their first two years of development.
Apical staining on a tooth or the area surrounding a tooth can be caused by a number of things, including: teeth grinding, prolonged exposure to UV light, prolonged wear of a crown, a build up of plaque, or an underlying gum disorder such as periodontitis. All of these things will cause a yellow stain in the tooth's tooth surface, and these stains will gradually change over time.
When this process begins to take place in a tooth, it can affect both the appearance of the tooth and its stability. If this occurs in an older tooth, it may result in a receding tooth. Tooth receding is a condition whereby a tooth becomes smaller than it used to be. It will also cause a different type of stain.
Tooth receding is caused by the tooth being unable to properly support the tooth's root. As the tooth becomes smaller, it is forced to pull away from its supporting roots, causing it to separate from the gums.
The color of the discolored pulp matrix of a tooth is known to vary. The yellow stain on the tooth's tooth surface can be brown, yellow, or even blue depending upon the tooth's underlying condition.