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 maintaining 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 discolouration, 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!
Note: Results and timelines vary between individuals.
