What It Means If Your Tooth Broke Off and It’s Black Inside

Darkening of the tissue inside a tooth can happen as a result of decay or injury. A fractured tooth needs prompt dental attention.

Your teeth are among the toughest parts of your body. Even so, they can still be harmed by bacteria or physical trauma.

The tough outermost layer of a tooth is called the enamel. Calcium in the enamel gives it a whitish appearance.

Beneath the enamel lies a softer, yellowish tissue called dentin, which makes up most of the tooth’s structure.

The innermost section of the tooth is the pulp. The pulp is typically a reddish-pink color and houses the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels.

When a tooth is broken, the dentin or pulp layer may be exposed.

Anytime you break a tooth, contact a dentist or other healthcare professional right away. The earlier you receive care, the better the chance your dentist can save the tooth.

It’s uncommon for the inside of a tooth to be black. Noticing black or dark brown discoloration usually indicates serious decay or other significant damage.

A dentist can identify the precise cause of the discoloration and recommend appropriate repairs.

Continue reading to learn what might make the inside of a tooth appear black and what treatments are available.

What can make a broken tooth look black or brown inside?

Healthy teeth don’t have black interiors. If a fractured tooth reveals a black or dark brown interior, that typically signals internal injury. Possible causes include the following.

Tooth decay

Tooth decay begins when mouth bacteria erode the enamel. If not treated, the decay can reach the dentin and cause sensitivity.

As the decay approaches the pulp, you’re likely to feel tooth pain. This ache tends to worsen as the decay advances.

If bacteria fully penetrate the dentin, the nerves and blood vessels within the pulp can become damaged and discolored.

You can lower your risk of decay by:

• seeing a dentist regularly
• reducing sugary drinks and snacks
• brushing twice daily
• flossing at least once a day

Pulp necrosis

Inflammation of the pulp is called pulpitis. It often causes heightened sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages. Pulpitis may result from decay or from trauma that disrupts the tooth’s blood flow.

Pulp necrosis occurs when pulpitis progresses and the nerve and blood vessels inside the tooth die. With necrosis, the tooth loses its ability to detect temperature changes.

The inside of the tooth may also darken to black or brown because it no longer receives a blood supply.

Intrinsic stain

Dark foods and drinks can stain teeth externally; these are called extrinsic stains, meaning they affect the tooth’s surface.

When discoloration involves deeper layers of the tooth, it’s referred to as an intrinsic stain. This type of staining happens when pigmented material penetrates the tooth structure, often during tooth development as documented.

Certain antibiotics, such as tetracycline, can cause intrinsic staining in children.

Exposed metal filling

If you observe a dark spot inside a tooth, it could be an aging dental filling. Some filling materials, including mercury and silver amalgam, oxidize and darken over time.

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When to see a dentist or other provider

A broken tooth is a dental emergency. When you experience a dental emergency, it’s important to seek care from a dentist or other healthcare professional promptly.

The sooner you act, the better the odds of saving the tooth. Many dentists reserve openings in their schedules for emergencies for this reason.

If your tooth fractures while your dental office is closed and you have severe pain or swelling, go to the nearest emergency room.

If a tooth is injured while you’re away from home, use the American Dental Association’s Find-a-Dentist tool to locate dental care nearby.

How a broken, black tooth may be treated

The most suitable treatment for a darkened tooth depends on the underlying cause. A blackened tooth won’t resolve on its own and requires evaluation by a dental professional. After examining your tooth, the dentist can recommend the best course of action.

Possible treatments include the following.

Extraction

If a tooth is too damaged to repair, the dentist may recommend removal. A missing tooth can often be replaced with a:

• dental bridge
• implant
• denture

Root canal

When the tooth’s nerve is too inflamed to recover, a root canal is necessary. In this procedure, the dentist cleans and removes the inflamed pulp from the center of the tooth.

A root canal is commonly performed for pulpitis or pulp necrosis.

Crown

If the tooth is broken and cannot be restored with a filling, the dentist may place a crown. A crown is a prosthetic cap that covers and protects a damaged tooth. Crowns are typically made from ceramic, porcelain, or metal.

What can make the outside of a tooth turn black?

External blackening of a tooth can indicate a serious dental issue. Reasons for a tooth appearing black on the outside include:

• Tooth decay. Decay can discolor both the exterior and interior of a tooth.
• Traumatic injury. A sudden blow can disrupt blood flow to the tooth and cause it to darken.
• Fillings or crowns. Some restorative materials, such as those containing silver sulfide, may darken with time due to oxidation.
• Stains. Dark beverages and foods, like coffee and soda, can stain enamel over time.
• Medications. Certain medications, including liquid iron supplements, can discolor teeth.
• Tobacco use. Chewing or smoking tobacco stains teeth and raises the risk of gum disease; see more about effects on black gums.
• Tartar. Hardened plaque combined with minerals from saliva can form tartar, which sometimes appears black or dark brown.

Takeaway

A broken tooth is a dental emergency that needs timely attention from a dentist.

If the interior of your tooth is black and you have sensitivity, this most often indicates tooth decay. A dental exam will reveal the exact cause and allow the dentist to advise the most appropriate treatment.