I wore Invisalign for 16 months and enjoyed a year of having what I felt was the perfect smile for me. My teeth are not even, my teeth are straight, so Invisalign made me feel better about myself. Then in August of this year, I had an accent that knocked my tooth out. My dentist put the tooth back in place and did a root canal on it.
After saving the tooth, my dentist recommended a crown during my last visit because the tooth was discoloring. I don’t want my tooth ground down for a crown. Is there another way to correct the discoloration? Jalin from Charleston, SC
Jalin,
We understand your disappointment after successful Invisalign treatment to feel better about your smile to have an accident that detracts from it. Yes, there is a better way to correct the discoloration. Also, sometimes after a dentist replants a tooth, your body may begin to resorb the root. So we recommend asking a dentist to x-ray your tooth to ensure the root is intact.
How Does a Dental Crown Affect a Front Tooth?
A dental crown will weaken a front tooth against lateral stresses. It will increase the risk of breaking the tooth if you have a heavy bite.
Can You Lighten a Tooth After Root Canal Treatment?
A dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training can lighten a tooth after root canal treatment. Also, the dentist can minimize discoloration with these steps:
- Complete root canal treatment
- Clean out root canal filling material or cement from inside the crown
- Internally bleach the tooth
- Insert a fiberglass post in the tooth and secure it with bonding
After several years, the tooth may darken. But a skilled cosmetic dentist can provide you with a porcelain veneer that hides the discoloration and matches the adjacent teeth.
It seems that your dentist did an excellent job with saving your tooth. If the tooth gradually discolors over the years, you can trust the dentist’s recommendation for a porcelain veneer. But it will take the skill of an advanced cosmetic dentist to manage the discoloration with conservative treatment.
Dr. Steven Brooksher, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, LA, sponsors this post.
