Black mark on tooth

[ladyalex]

The son-and-heir (mid twenties) has discovered a black mark on one of his lower molars.
He says it appeared suddenly at the weekend , he hadn't noticed it before and it almost covers the whole of his tooth.
It hurts a bit when he bites down on it.
He has regular check ups and good dental hygeine.
Anyone got any ideas what it might be ?

Can investigation wait until he comes back from the US to the UK in a couple of weeks ?
Thanks.

[Gizmonster]

It is possible that the tooth may have died (I'm sure there are other explanations, but I'm fairly sure that the tooth sometimes blackens when it dies).
It usually occurs following a trauma - has he suffered a bang to the mouth recently ??
A root filling may be required to help preserve the tooth.
I'm no expert so I could be way off, but this may (or may not) be an explanation.

[Maydup]

I had a tooth that went black but it was over a fairly long period of time. It had been filled and in the end I had it ground down and a crown fitted. I can't really help with something that has happened overnight, but suggest he has soemone look at it even if he waits till he's home for treatment.

[Gizmonster]

I'm wondering if it's happened over a period of time and he's only just noticed it, 'cos when the tooth blackens after it dies, it usually takes time to go black, as Maidup points out.
Have a read of this:
http://www.smilecliniq.com/dead_tooth_black_tooth_discoloured_tooth.php

[ladyalex]

Thanks for your replies.
He insists that it appeared yesterday 'out of the blue'.
I think I'll encourage him to have it looked at asap, despite the possibly enormous 'co-pay' on his insurance.
He hasn't reported any trauma and I'm sure he would have.

[Sqad]

To be precise, this black mark is on the tooth (enamel) and NOT the gum?

On this premise then it is no big deal and can wait until he returns from the US of A.

It may well be dietary or perhaps due to smoking.

If it is arising from or affecting the gum, then get it checked as soon as possible....the latter situation being unlikely in my opinion.

[J9PUR]

I agree with Sqad that it is most likely extrinsic staining of dietary/smoking origin, if it 'appeared suddenly at the weekend' and 'covers the whole of the tooth'. I cannot think of any pathological cause that fits this description.

Whilst there are many causes of tooth discoloration, the vast majority take time to develop and will have a generalised distribution affecting more than one tooth.

[Sqad]

J9PUR...........being a dentist. shouldn't your username be K9PUR?

[ladyalex]

Thank you for your replies.
As far as I can tell from what he says, the stain is only on the tooth, not on the gum.
He is a non -smoker ,but does eat some strange stuff...well, strange to me....

He's going for an opinion today, so I'll let you all know what the outcome is as soon as he tells me...

[J9PUR]

Sqad.......................lol!

[ladyalex]

Hello everyone, here is the update.
It turns out that the 'enormous black mark' is quite simply an old amalgam filling that he had forgotten he ever had.
It didn't just 'suddenly appear' yesterday, he just hadn't noticed it before.
Red faces all round, but mostly for the son-and-heir.
I don't know, brain as big as a planet, grad student at UMass but no sense. Sigh.
Thanks to everyone for the input.
:-))

[anneasquith]

thats men for you LOL, hope your enjoying your early retirement lady a.?

[ladyalex]

You're right anne.
I'm OK.
:-))

[Sqad]

Feedback appreciated.

[ladyalex]

As was your reply, sqad :-))