Challenges faced when masking a single discoloured tooth - Part 1: aetiology and non-invasive management

Encountering a single discoloured tooth is a common occurrence in dentistry and it poses a significant concern affecting both aesthetic appearance of natural teeth and patient confidence. Management of tooth discolouration involves a wide variety of options and requires specific protocols for both the clinician and patient to achieve an aesthetic result. One of the toughest challenges in restorative dentistry is being able to mimic natural teeth. This review is the first of two articles that will broadly discuss the aetiology of discolouration and the challenges faced when masking a single discoloured tooth. It will also examine various approaches, encompassing the conservative options, such as scaling, microabrasion, air abrasion, vital and non-vital tooth whitening, and resin infiltration. By integrating current and clinical evidence, this review aims to identify the causes of single tooth discolouration, highlight the challenges/variables faced when masking discoloured teeth and appraise possible minimally invasive procedures.