Can I get a dead tooth whitened without the root canal procedure?

Question

I have a dead, discolored tooth and my dentist suggests root canal a crown. To save money can I just get the crown done or have the dentist whiten it without the root canal? thanks in advance.

Joseph F. DelPrete, DMD · Answer

You can try regular external bleaching, but that may not work well enough.  Your dentist may want to do an internal bleaching technique which would require a root canal first.

Nirav Patel, MDS, PhD · Answer

there r two types of whitening one is from outside [regular whitening procedure] and another one is from inside [ for eg. for dead pulp tissue] . in yr case discoloration is due to dead pulp tissue , and without excess to pulp that procedure is not possible. thats why RCT is nacessary.

Frank Celenza, DDS, PC · Answer

if the tooth is dead, as you say, then it needs a root canal to save it.  The nerve has degenerated and will infect, it needs to be removed and cleaned and filled.  That is what a root canal is.  Trying to avoid that to save money will result in a much bigger problem that will cost much more to correct.  Why doesn't anyone trust their dentist's recommendation any more?

Can I get a dead tooth whitened without the root canal procedure?

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