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Does a Front Tooth Always Need a Crown After Root Canal?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

My dentist put my upper left tooth back I place because it was knocked out. He put the tooth back in and bonded it. He also did a root canal on the tooth. The tooth has turned darker than my other tooth, and my dentist said I probably need a crown. Is a crown on a root canal front tooth a good idea? Is there a way we can save the tooth without a crown? Thank you. Sahba from NJ

 

Sahba,

It’s important to consider the potential risks of a crown on a front tooth. It increases the risk of the tooth breaking from lateral stress, especially if you have a heavy bite when eating.

Why Does a Root Canal Tooth Turn Dark?

Teeth often discolor after root canal treatment. After removing the infected tooth pulp, a dentist fills the tooth with a filling material or cement. If the dentist leaves some of the filling material in the crown (the part of your tooth above the gumline), the material will discolor the tooth.

How Can a Dentist Lighten a Root Canal Tooth?

A skilled cosmetic dentist can lighten a root canal tooth by removing the root canal filling material from the tooth’s crown. The dentist may also recommend internal bleaching. Afterward, the flexible post can be inserted into the tooth and sealed with dental composite, which can prevent discoloration for several years.

As discoloration occurs, a skilled cosmetic dentist may recommend a porcelain veneer and color match the veneer to the adjacent tooth.

In cases where a front tooth was knocked out and replanted, you may need an X-ray to ensure your body is not eating away at the tooth’s root.  Your dentist did well to preserve your tooth. However, he may not understand how to improve your tooth color. A dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training can help.

 

Metairie, Louisiana, dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read how Dr. Delaune strives to be among the best dentists in Metairie.

Will My Tooth Crumble If the Crown Keeps Falling Off?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I had no trouble with my dental implant surgery. The surgeon was wonderful, and his follow-up care was thorough. I thanked my dentist for referring me to the surgeon. I received three implants, and my dentist restored them with beautiful crowns. I also received a new crown for a root canal tooth. But that crown is nothing but trouble. Within the past two months, the crown fell off four times. My dentist is happy to reattach it, but I am getting frustrated.

My dentist said that if it keeps happening, he will order a new crown. He doesn’t seem to know how to stop the problem without a new crown. I am concerned that all the work on this tooth has made it even weaker. And how do I know I won’t have the same problem with a new crown? I don’t like walking away from my dentist, but I’m not sure he knows what to do about this crown. Is my tooth going to crumble away and fall apart? Thank you. Rhys from NY

Rhys,

We are happy you had a good dental implant and implant crown experience. Unfortunately, the root canal tooth and crown are causing problems. It is frustrating when a crown repeatedly falls off, but identifying the problem is relatively easy.

Why Does a Dental Crown Keep Falling Off?

Dental crown

Dental crowns must be secured to protect a tooth

A dental crown can fall off due to bonding strength or the shape of the prepared tooth. Either or both factors can cause a crown to loosen and fall off.

  • Tooth preparation: When a dentist slightly tapers your natural tooth in preparation for a crown, it increases the surface contact between the crown and tooth. Even the weakest cement will keep the crown on. But aggressive tapering—grinding the tooth down to a stump—increases the risk of a loose crown that falls off.
  • Bonding strength: Your dentist must choose cement strong enough to keep the crown attached to your tooth.

If your dentist cannot keep the new crown on your tooth, it might be best to get a second opinion. Or you can get a second opinion right away. Depending on how aggressively your dentist prepared your tooth, an advanced cosmetic dentist can build the tooth with bonding to ensure the crown is secure.

Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read details about how Dr. Delaune strives to provide some of the best dental care in Metairie. Ask Delaune Dental about financing to help pay for dental care.

 

My Dentist Left Porcelain Dust in My Mouth After Grinding a Crown

Posted on by AllSmiles.

My dentist left porcelain dust in my mouth after grinding on a crown. I got a porcelain crown on an upper molar tooth last week. While the dentist adjusted the crown, I felt porcelain dust in my mouth. Neither the dentist nor the assistant rinsed my mouth to remove this debris. I should have asked for the rinse. I am concerned about the potential health implications of swallowing porcelain particles, as porcelain contains glass-like components. Is it a health threat? Thanks. Tomas

Tomas,

Porcelain is generally considered safe for ingestion, so there’s likely no immediate health risk from swallowing porcelain dust. While it contains some glass-like components, the particles are not sharp and pose minimal concern. Porcelain primarily comprises minerals like feldspar and silica.

However, a dentist must maintain a clean and safe environment. Allowing patients to swallow dental debris is unacceptable. Proper dental care involves utilizing high-powered suction to remove water and particles during procedures, which prevents patients from ingesting unwanted substances.

Your patient rights include expressing yourself or asking questions whenever you are uncomfortable with a dentist’s or hygienist’s technique.

Don’t let your concerns linger and cause dental anxiety. Instead of ongoing anxiety about what happened, talk to your dentist and explain how you feel. Your dentist should be willing to apologize and reassure you about future visits.

What Causes a Cavity Beneath a Crown?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I’ve had a crown on my first molar on the upper left for three years. After my yearly exam last month, the dentist said that my X-ray showed a cavity. She showed me the X-rays on the monitor in the treatment room. However, the dentist could not explain why I had a cavity. My dentist plans to remove the crown and decay and place a new crown. Dental insurance won’t provide any coverage for the crown. Why do I have a cavity in a tooth beneath a crown anyway? What caused it? Thanks. Marie from NJ

Marie,

A dental crown for a molar tooth, which can have a cavity beneath it if bacteria leak in

Dental crown (cap)

Dental insurance companies will only pay for a replacement crown if your current one is at least five years old. However, a high-quality crown can last ten years or longer. Although decay will not affect your dental crown, bacteria can leak in, causing a cavity in the tooth beneath the crown.

What Causes a Cavity Beneath a Crown?

If a crown is damaged, loose, or has a gap between the tooth and crown, bacteria can enter the space and cause tooth decay.

  • Damaged or loose crown – Trapped bacteria beneath a crown can lead to decay.
  • Loose margin — If the crown and tooth do not fully meet, bacteria can leak, causing plaque and decay.

What Is the Treatment for a Cavity Beneath a Crown?

Treating a cavity beneath a crown includes removing the crown, cleaning the tooth, filling the cavity, and replacing the crown with a new one. Untreated decay can spread and increase the risk of tooth loss. Please do not ignore a cavity in a tooth beneath a crown.

Get a Second Opinion

If you are dissatisfied with your dentist’s diagnosis of a cavity beneath your crown or the treatment plan, you can get a second opinion from a skilled cosmetic dentist.

Metairie, Louisiana, dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.

 

 

Why Does One of My Three Dental Crowns Hurt?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

One of my upper left molars has been hurting for two months. My dentist thought the tooth might be fractured and covered it with the crown. It hurts even when I chew soft food. When I put pressure on the tooth with my finger, it feels better, but the pain returns when I lift my finger. This is so weird.

My dentist adjusted the crown, but the teeth still hurt. I’ve had other crowns with no problems like this. Is something wrong with my bite? What could be causing my tooth pain? – Thanks. Carlton from Gatlinburg, TN

Carlton

Thank you for your question.

Your description sounds like your bite is still off.

Why Does Your Dental Crown Hurt?

A poorly placed crown can push your teeth out of alignment and cause pain. Pain from decay or infection in your teeth will not improve if you push down on them, so decay or infection is not the problem. Either your gums or the crown is causing your symptoms.

close up of temporomadibular joint

Untreated concerns with dental crowns can lead to TMJ discomfort

If your dentist adjusts your bite correctly, you can clench your teeth and put pressure on them without discomfort. Your dentist might need to adjust other teeth, too. She may be hesitant about adjusting your teeth if she only worked on the tooth that has the crown. Sometimes small shifts in one tooth affect others, and adjusting adjacent teeth is the only way to align your bite correctly.

A misaligned bite can cause problems like these:

  • TMJ disorder
  • Headaches
  • Neck pain
  • Nighttime teeth grinding
  • Jaw pain

Get a second opinion if your dentist is unable to correct your bite. You can look for a dentist with advanced training in occlusion and bite.

 

Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read details about how Dr. Delaune strives to provide some of the best dental care in Metairie.