Dental Crown for a Discoloured Tooth: When Does It Make Sense?

Why Does a Tooth Become Discoloured?

A tooth can darken after an injury especially when nerve inside has been damaged. A tooth can also turn grey after a root canal procedure. Deep decay can also cause a tooth to change colour. Some teeth simply shift shade as they age.

Your dentist must examine tooth before deciding steps. Dentist may need to perform examination and take X-ray especially when tooth has become noticeably darker for no clear reason.

Is It a Cosmetic Problem?

This is where things get interesting. If tooth is healthy and strong but has a surface stain crown is usually more treatment than needed. Whitening or another cosmetic approach may make sense.

If discolouration comes with a large filling or weakened tooth structure covering tooth with crown can be practical choice. Crown gives improvement while protecting remaining tooth.

How Does a Crown Improve the Tooths Appearance?

Crown sits over tooth and is made to resemble natural tooth. Dentist chooses shade that fits with surrounding teeth finished result does not look like bright tooth has suddenly joined group.

Dentist first removes amount of enamel and tooth structure to create space for crown. Impression or digital scan is then used to design restoration. Once final crown is ready crown is fitted over tooth. Checked for appearance and bite.

What If the Tooth Has Had a Root Canal?

Tooth that has undergone root canal treatment can become darker because changes inside tooth affect colour. In this situation crown is often useful when tooth has also lost strength.

However crown is not necessarily answer to colour itself. Dentist may consider whitening if tooth is suitable. If tooth needs protection of crown anyway covering discolouration becomes much more straightforward.

What Is Getting a Crown Like?

Process usually takes more than one appointment if crown is being made in dental laboratory. At visit tooth is assessed and prepared. Temporary crown may be placed while permanent crown is made.

At appointment dentist checks fit and appearance before fixing final crown in place. Small adjustments can be made if bite feels slightly different.

When a Crown Is a Good Fit

Look for dentist to assess tooth if:

• The colour of tooth changed suddenly after injury.

• There is filling and tooth feels fragile worth checking before cosmetic treatment.

• Tooth has had root canal treatment. Become noticeably darker.

• Pain, swelling or sensitivity around tooth deserve attention before any discussion about appearance.

• Tooth is otherwise strong and colour is concern. Crown may be treatment than needed.

So Should You Get a Crown for a Tooth?

If tooth is structurally weak well as discoloured crown is sensible way to deal with both problems at once. Crown can restore tooth shape. Give much more natural appearance.

Do not crown healthy tooth simply because shade disliked. Find out what caused discolouration first. Simpler cosmetic option is better fit.

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