Tooth #8: Internal Beaching or Porcelain Crown? Discolored(pink) and Slight Fracture

About 3 weeks ago I had a trauma to my mouth and my #8 tooth (front) has become discolored pink and has a slight fracture on the surface. I have been to a dentist and an endodontist. My tooth still responds to the vitality tests but it is just discolored and has a slight fracture.Digital radiograph in 2 weeks. Does a tooth turn back to a natural color after several months? I would like to know more about the pros and cons for internal bleaching and if it lasts. Would a porcelain crown be better?

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by carpediem80

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Internal bleaching

The discoloration means the tooth is bleeding internally and it will surely need a root canal. Many dentists feel all root canaled teeth should be crowned. I think there are exceptions to the rule. If you internal bleach before the crown, the tooth will relapse over time and the dark color will show through the crown. It will just need the internal bleaching done again. If you don't internal bleach and get a crown the tooth may continue to get darker and require internal bleaching later ... more

The recommendation for a trauma, discolored tooth is to wait if not fractured!.

Trauma is not fun. Try to be patient, wait if you can and return to the root canal specialist in a couple of weeks. Discoloration can be internal bleeding of the tooth and it may go away or get worse. You can try whitening with a custom tray and see if that helps in the interim. If you need a root canal, you can do internal whitening. If your tooth did not break, just leave it-even if it has cracks. Good luck!

Internal Bleaching or Porcelain Crown

Sorry to hear that you suffered trauma to your front tooth. I am glad to hear thought that you have seen an endodontist and have been evaluated. Trauma can be unpredictable so it is too early to tell what will happen to the tooth over the next few months. As long as the tooth remains vital and does not need a root canal, internal bleaching cannot take place. Speak to your endodontist as well as your dentist to see what you options will be with or without a root... more

Internal Beaching or Porcelain Crown?

Trauma can cause all sorts of discolorations to front teeth. Some are transient, some are harbingers of the nerve eventually dying. Some barely discolor, some turn very dark. If you have an Endodontist involved, that's great. I would be patient and wait for their advice. Some mildly traumatized teeth just return back to normal. It's just too early to decide some of these things. After more than twenty years as a cosmetic dentist, you'll just need to see what you have to... more