My Front Tooth Is Darkening After a Root Canal

I am unsure if I should go with my dentist’s recommendation to get a crown for my dark front tooth. Last fall, after my left front tooth was knocked out in an accident, I made an emergency appointment with my dentist. He reinserted the tooth and bonded it back in place. He also did root canal treatment. I notice that the tooth is darker than the others. When I saw my dentist two weeks ago, he said I might need a crown. Is this the only solution for a front tooth that is getting dark? I do not know if I can trust what I read online, but I read two articles that say a crown might not be the best way to handle the issue. The last time I needed a crown, it took four months for my dentist to correct my bite and get rid of the earaches and the pain I started to experience. Thanks. Josiah from NH

 

Josiah,

Thank you for your inquiry.

Although a crown on the front tooth strengthens it from chipping, it weakens the tooth against lateral stresses. The tooth may break off if you have a heavy or forceful bite. You were wise to see your dentist promptly and get the tooth replanted.

Dark Front Tooth After Root Canal Treatment

A dark front after root canal treatment is not unusual. Your dentist can decrease discoloration without a crown by removing root canal filling materials, including gutta-percha or cement, from the inside of the tooth’s crown (the portion above the gumline). If your tooth is discoloring after several months, your dentist probably left some of those materials in your tooth’s crown.

Internal Bleaching for a Root Canal Tooth

An advanced cosmetic dentist can use internal bleaching to improve tooth color if your tooth is darkening after root canal treatment.

A cosmetic dentist’s process might involve these steps:

• Clean out the inside of the tooth’s crown
• Internally bleach the tooth
• Insert a flexible fiberglass post deep inside the tooth
• Seal the opening

The tooth should maintain its lighter color for several years. Your cosmetic dentist can bond a custom-made porcelain veneer to conceal the discoloration when it begins to discolor. A quality veneer that a dentist bonds correctly can last 15 years or longer.

If you need a crown for any reason, a skilled cosmetic dentist can provide it without disrupting your bite and causing TMJ symptoms. The technique we described requires a dentist to have post-graduate cosmetic dentistry training. Dentists who focus on tooth aesthetics participate in continuing education to stay current with tools and techniques that produce beautiful results.

An X-ray to Check for External Resorption

External resorption occurs when your body rejects a tooth, eats away at the tooth root, and can occur with replanted teeth. An X-ray will reveal any damage to your tooth roots. A cosmetic dentist will explain treatment for a tooth with external resorption.

 

Barrington, Illinois, accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. James Gavrilos sponsors this post. Read how he strives to give patients high-quality dental care.