Hey! I'm Frankie, and welcome to my dental advice blog. I'm a foodie and I love sweet treats, but I also love my teeth! It can be hard to keep your dental health in top condition when you've got a sweet tooth, but it's not impossible. Over the years, I've learned tons of great advice from friends, family members and dentists, and I'd love to share it with you. My blog is here to give you all the tips and tricks you need to stay free of decay and other tooth problems without giving up all your favourite foods and snacks.
When the nerve of a tooth becomes infected; a condition known as pulpitis, root canal therapy is often a necessity if the tooth is to be saved. While root canals are preferable to extraction, with 89% of patients satisfied with the results, treated teeth can sometimes become discoloured after treatment.
However, discolouration is not due to the negligence of your endodontist. When it does happen, it is usually because over time, the non-vital dentin begins to fade, thus changing the colour of the tooth. In rare cases, your endodontist may not have been able to extract all of the dead nerve. The nerve tissue then decays, which causes your tooth to darken from the inside out.
Root Canal-Darkened Teeth Can Be Whitened
Although this side-effect is unfortunate, it is thankfully rare and easily treated. If your tooth has become discoloured after a recent root canal treatment, rest assured there are several ways that it can be whitened so that it doesn't ruin the quality of your smile.
Internal Bleaching
Under normal circumstances, teeth are whitened on the outside to achieve a brighter smile. However, if a root canal treated tooth still retains much of its structure and remains strong, the whitening agent can be added internally. Research shows that up to 90 percent of teeth whitened this way show favourable results.
One of the downsides of this approach; however, is that it is difficult for a dentist to gauge just how much bleaching agent to add in order to match the rest of your teeth.
Dental Crown
This option is ideal for teeth that have lost some of their structure due to decay or fracture. Your dentist can remove some of the tooth and add a crown that matches the colour of your natural teeth.
While it is always recommended that you keep your natural teeth intact, a discoloured tooth can affect your confidence, and ruin a perfectly nice smile.
Porcelain Veneer
A reputable cosmetic dentist should possess the skills to create a porcelain veneer that fits with the rest of your teeth. This method utilizes a thin porcelain shell to cover up the discoloured tooth. Some of the tooth structure does need to be removed however.
If your recently treated tooth has begun to turn a darker shade, get in touch with your dentist or a cosmetic dentist before making a decision. Only a dental professional is qualified enough to decide what is most suitable for your particular case.
Share21 June 2017
