After getting a root canal on my left front tooth in 2021, started turning dark. My dentist at the time wanted to put a veneer over the tooth, but I declined. I’m beginning to regret it. My new dentist filed down the tooth for a crown last month. The crown looks okay, but I’m still concerned about how little of the tooth is left. Did I make the wrong decision? Did my dentist trick me into getting a crown when a veneer would have worked better? Thanks. Dominique

Dominique,

Dental school teaches students to protect a tooth with a crown after root canal treatment. Your dentist did what she was taught and offered a crown, which requires grinding down your tooth in preparation. It’s unfair to say she tricked you into getting a crown when you could have a porcelain veneer for your front tooth.

Your description sounds as if your tooth didn’t have extensive decay or breakage. However, root canal therapy weakens teeth, and a crown protects them from fracture.

Back teeth absorb more pressure from chewing than front teeth. Without a dental crown, a back root canal tooth would break.

Stress on front teeth is lateral mainly because they do not have chewing surfaces. A front tooth is most likely to break at the gumline. After root canal treatment, preparing the tooth for a dental crown further weakens it. A veneer would have left your front tooth stronger.

Tooth discoloration after root canal treatment is caused by the dental filler material. A skilled cosmetic dentist would remove the material, place a flexible fiberglass post in the tooth, and fill it with tooth-colored composite. However, you have a dental crown instead of a veneer now. Keep your dental cleaning, exam appointments, and yearly X-rays to help your dentist monitor your front tooth and ensure it remains healthy.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge fellow of implant dentistry, sponsors this post. Request a consultation with Dr. Brooksher today.