Unaesthetic Front Tooth -- Treatment Options

Every once in a while, we have to deal with the infrequent problem of a discolored front tooth. Anywhere else in the mouth, this subtle but slowly progressing change would be ignored or remained undiagnosed until symptoms appear. The teeth in the front and in the smile framework are essentially a problem with aesthetic ramification, but what choices are available for treatment? It all depends on initial diagnosis. 

The most common reason for a tooth gradually becoming discolored is a dying nerve tissue at its core. As tissue inside the tooth dies, the breakdown that ensues releases chemicals that can stain the inner layers of the tooth. This dying of the nerve might be gradual and devoid of any symptoms, or it might be associated with a small gum boil at the base of the tooth. The most common reason for the nerve to die out is usually a history of injury occurring much earlier in life. Most of these individuals might have forgotten the initial injury that they experienced as kids. 

Sometimes the change in color is a result of a root canal treatment. In this instance, the dying tissue has just enough life in it that it bleeds, and chemicals from the blood break down and penetrate the tooth material. 

Traditional options for treating a tooth like this would have been to either shape the tooth for a crown and use the crown ceramics to hide the darkness, or try to whiten the tooth. The crowns end up being made either opaque in order to block the discoloration, or very thick. They are expensive and subject to being redone over time as the gum changes its contours. 

The conservative alternative is internal bleaching, where Sodium Perborate is placed in a chamber in the back of the tooth and sealed. In time, it works its bleaching magic from within. It costs a fraction of crowns, and there is no impression, temporary crowns, or shade matching worries. 

Be confident in your smile again!