This patient experienced trauma to his front tooth as a child, which resulted in particularly dark discolouration that developed over time. The tooth underwent a root canal many years ago, and the combination of the trauma at a young age and the root canal treatment left the patient with a shell of tooth due to the large root canal space. In this case, a traditional crown wasn't a viable option. Dr Gourlay saw the patient over multiple appointments to restore the tooth’s health and aesthetics, and used methods that preserved the existing tooth structure.
Our key steps:
- Root Canal Retreatment: We first retreated the old failing root canal over 3 visits to ensure there was no residual infection or issues. This step was crucial to maintain the health of the tooth.
- Sealing the Canal: After ensuring the root canal was stable, we sealed it well to prevent leaking of whitening.
- Internal Whitening: To address the discoloration, we used a walking bleach method. This involved placing a whitening agent inside the tooth and changing it weekly over a few visits. This gradually lightened the tooth from a dark shade to one that matched the surrounding teeth.
- A final restoration: After the tooth had reached the desired colour, a restoration was placed in the access cavity using bonded materials with fibre reinforcement to offer the tooth much needed support and fracture resistance.
His treatment took some time but was ultimately a success. The patient’s front tooth was restored to a natural, healthy shade, which blended seamlessly with his other teeth. This conservative approach preserved the tooth’s structure while achieving a stunning cosmetic result.
This case exemplifies our practice's commitment to providing personalised, minimally invasive solutions that prioritise dental health and aesthetics.
If you have a similar concern with your teeth or want to learn more about cosmetic treatments that we offer, we’re here to help - please reach out to our team!
