Did you know that root canals can be an important cosmetic procedure? Stains can be both extrinsic and intrinsic to a tooth, meaning they can affect the outer as well as the inner layers. At Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton dental office, we offer several means of restoring teeth to whiteness, but for some intrinsic stains, a root canal is necessary.
Extrinsic stains are generally caused by repeated exposure to dark liquids such as coffee or red wine, or by smoke and tar. They can usually be fixed with bleaching. Intrinsic stains affect the dental pulp. They could be due to the tooth having been exposed to an excessive amount of fluoride or tetracycline antibiotics while it was developing, or by inflammation. Although an intrinsic stain can be covered with a veneer, inflamed pulp presents a health concern and should not be swept under the rug.
Although inflammation is part of the body’s immune response, the body does a poor job at fighting off tooth infections on its own and a root canal will probably be necessary. Typically, a root canal ends with the tooth being filled and sealed. But to reverse cosmetic damage, an entire new crown may be necessary.
Eric M. Meyer, DDS, operates at 2720 North Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, California, 92835. To schedule an appointment, call 714-879-7943 or visit FullertonDental.com and fill out a contact sheet.
No comments:
Post a Comment