I have a wisdom tooth that is erupting brown. I don’t know what is going on. Surely it can’t be decay. It’s just coming in. Do you know what this means? I’ve been told that dental enamel cannot be restored once it is lost. The bottom of my back teeth are brown too, but only the bottom and they have always been that way. I am scheduling an appointment with my dentist but am trying to gather as much information as possible. Any ideas?
Thomas
Dear Thomas,
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
It’s hard to tell from just what you’ve described and not having examined your teeth. However, based on what you have said it sounds like you have defective enamel. While enamel can turn brown if decay has started and then is terminated but, as you said, if it was brown while erupting, it is not likely to be decay.
Because you have discoloration on the bottom of your other teeth as well, it makes me think that you had some health issues while the enamel on your teeth were forming. This would impact your wisdom tooth as well. The bottom is brown on the other teeth which tells me the problem occurred when they were at the end of their formation. That same time would be eactly when the wisdom tooth began forming so it would have more discoloration.
Defective enamel is very susceptible to decay.I recommend being extra attentive with those teeth that have the discoloration. With a wisdom tooth, an extraction is not as serious because it will not require a replacement the way your other back teeth would. Impacted wisdom teeth are extracted all the time.
I am not saying you have to remove it. In fact, you may go your entire life with it not giving you any problems. Just be aware it is more at risk than your other teeth. If decay starts, deal with it immediately so it does not turn into an infection and then you’d need an emergency dental appointment.
This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.