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Do I Need a Root Canal or an Extraction and Implant?

Posted by AllSmiles

Dental implant with components identified - crown, abutment, and root formThree years ago, my wife and I got in an accident that released the airbags in our van. I took a hard blow to my face, and since then, my front left tooth has been sensitive on and off. My dentist said she would watch the tooth, but it began to turn dark last fall. I saw my dentist last week for the first time since Covid, and she referred me to an endodontist for a root canal. The endodontist will complete the root canal next week. Will the root canal improve the tooth color, or will I need to see a cosmetic dentist? Should I get an extraction and dental implant anyway? – Thank you. Gordon from St. Petersburg, FL

Gordon,

Thank you for your question.

Will Root Canal Treatment Lighten a Dark Tooth?

Root canal treatment will not lighten a dark tooth. It often makes a tooth darker. Why would root canal treatment darken a tooth? When a dentist leaves root canal filling material and cement in the portion of the tooth above the gumline, the tooth darkens.

Preventing a Tooth from Darkening After Root Canal Treatment

Your dentist can minimize the darkening effects of root canal treatment with these steps:

  • Remove root canal filling and cement from the tooth crown
  • Bleach the tooth internally
  • Seal the bleaching solution inside the tooth
  • Insert a flexible fiberglass post in the tooth and fill the tooth with composite, or correct the color with a porcelain veneer

When most of the structure is left on a front tooth, preparing it for a crown can weaken and increase the risk of breaking it. A cosmetic dentist can correct the color with a porcelain veneer after root canal treatment if your front tooth is intact.

Unless your tooth is severely damaged and the endodontist (a root canal specialist) cannot save it, it is best to preserve it and avoid extraction and a dental implant. We recommend scheduling a second opinion with an advanced cosmetic dentist to examine your tooth and discuss your treatment options.

 

Moline, Illinois dentist, Dr. Thomas Goebel, sponsors this post.