After a root canal in front tooth, would a crown look more natural?

Question

I am getting a front tooth root canal and my dentist said I don't need a crown at this time but I have a few friends who front teeth have turned dark colored after a root canal so I am wondering is it more natural and less ugly to just put a crown at once and avoid having to deal with the color change later ? Or is it possible the tooth won't change colors after a root canal ?

Robert L. Knudson, DDS · Answer

The color change with root canal teeth almost always occurs BEFORE the proceedure.  when the pulp of the tooth dies from either an infection or traumatic injury, the blood pigments break down and turn dark (think of what colors you see after your bruise yourself and the blood under the skin does the same thing).  These pigments seep into the tooth from the inside and are almost impossible to totally remove.  If the color of your  tooth is fine now, probably will be fine for a long time.  If I does change, you need to get bonding or veneers on BOTH front teeth.  If you do on just one, because your other teeth will change color naturally over time, the single front tooth, if it matches now, would start to stand out as being whiter than the others over time.  If there is a mirror image left to right, the change in the other teeth will not be noticable for a much longer period.  AND the rule is, if you get dentistry on teeth, you will have it replaces perhaps several times in your life....so there is no dentistry as good as no dentistry.

Barry Jason, DDS · Answer

If your dentist feels that a crown is not indicated, and the tooth in question is not presently discolored..then it may never discolor and is certainly more natural .  So if the adjacent tooth matches the present tooth before root canal, follow the recommendation.  If slightly darker ask about internal bleaching following the root canal. As a last resort, in the future you can always do the porcelain jacket or veneer...but understand...cosmetically there is nothing harder  than to perfectly match a new front crown to the other natural tooth...it can be done but it takes a great lab.

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