What is my best option for a discoloured front tooth due to a root canal procedure many years ago?

Question

Following a root canal on my front tooth, it has gotten darker over time. I keep reading up on all porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns. I hear because the porcelain is thin and translucent, the darkness may not be fully covered. I realize I can get internal bleaching done prior to but i would have to redo that every 2 years or so. Would a SINGLE porcelain crown look natural and fully cover my dark tooth?

Jennifer Ebner, DDS · Answer

Because of the tooth structure lost preparing a root canal in a tooth, a full coverage crown will provide the strength needed for longevity. There are multiple options for blocking out a discolored tooth. whether a crown or veneer is placed. Erring on the side of conserving tooth structure by providing inadequate strength or cosmetic results, especially for a front tooth, is not recommended. Whats the point of a super white veneered tooth that has broken off and is now unrestorable. With a little planning and playing with cores and layering porcelain, a very harmonious and blended and strong crown can be placed, providing years or decades of beautiful smiles.
Good Luck,
Dr. Ebner

Kourosh Maddahi, DDS · Answer

Hi:You can get a veneer, however, the material, and the cement will play an important role.  At the same time when you get a single veneer or crown to maintain the color of the adjacent tooth is going very difficult.  Doing 2 teeth may be a better option.Best,Dr. Maddahi

Val Alexander Daniyar, DMD · Answer

Good question and you seem to be doing your homework! Each option you read about may be applicable in your case based on the degree of discoloration and other factors that your cosmetic / restorative dentist should check at the time of your examination. Generally speaking a veneer might be the best option as it it considered to be most conservative. However if the structural integrity of the tooth is compromised a full crown can be a good way to go. It will be a decision that your restorative dentist may need to make what strategy to choose because a single veneer might sometimes not be enough to color a discoloration. And a single zirconia crown might be too bright to match your surrounding tooth if placing just a single crown. See an experienced cosmetic dentist. Restoring a single tooth while ensuring a perfect match with surrounding natural teeth might as easy as it might be quite challenging. Good luck, Dr. Daniyar

What is my best option for a discoloured front tooth due to a root canal procedure many years ago?

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What is my best option for a discoloured front tooth due to a root canal procedure many years ago?

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Porcelain Veneers

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.