5 Common Myths About Root Canal Therapy, Debunked
Because of the misinformation surrounding root canal therapy, you might be anxious about this procedure. We correct five myths about root canals here. Keep reading to learn the truth.
Teeth Bleaching Failed and My Teeth Still Look Dark. What Are My Options?
Yellowed teeth due to aging, drinking staining beverages, or using nicotine are known as extrinsic staining. It happens when the enamel becomes discolored due to external factors. Extrinsic stains typically respond well to over-the-counter teeth whitening products and professional teeth bleaching.
However, if conventional teeth whitening products haven’t brightened your teeth, you may be dealing with intrinsic staining. Intrinsic stains are on the inside of your tooth. Unfortunately, that means no amount of external whitening products can reach the source of the discoloration.
Because of that, our team, led by expert endodontist Robert Scott Nance, DDS, MS, PA, at his practices in Statesville and Hickory, North Carolina, offers internal bleaching. This treatment can eliminate the source of the stain from the inside out, leaving you with a radiant smile.
This month’s blog explores the causes of intrinsic staining that internal bleaching can treat and how the bleaching process works.
Why intrinsic staining happens
When you have a cavity or crack in your tooth, it provides a way for bacteria to enter it and infect the pulp — the inner chamber of your tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. If left untreated, the inner tissues can become severely damaged, and the blood supply to the tooth is cut off.
These nerves and blood vessels keep your tooth alive. If the infection severely damages the pulp, your tooth can die and become discolored. Severe dental trauma can also damage the pulp, resulting in discoloration.
The only way to save teeth that have severe pulp infections is through a root canal. A root canal cleans the infected and dead tissues and seals the inside of the tooth with dental cement to prevent further damage.
However, sometimes the damage to the tooth is so severe that the natural color won’t return. The sealant used during a root canal can also stain the inside of your tooth.
How internal bleaching can help
Internal bleaching is an endodontic procedure and must be performed by an endodontist such as Dr. Nance.
In many cases, Dr. Nance can combine internal bleaching with your root canal treatment. He simply removes all the discoloring debris before placing a sodium perborate paste inside the tooth. The paste reacts with the stains and slowly whitens them.
Dr. Nance performs X-rays and any other necessary screenings before the procedure. If you qualify for internal bleaching after a root canal, Dr. Nance makes a small hole in your tooth where he inserts the sodium perborate paste.
Take back your smile with internal bleaching
If your tooth is discolored from pulp damage or root canal therapy, internal bleaching might be just what you need. Learn more about this treatment or schedule a consultation by calling your nearest office location today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
How an Incision and Drainage Procedure Can Treat Your Abscessed Tooth
A dental abscess can form when you have a bacterial infection in your tooth, leading to pain, tooth sensitivity, and facial swelling. Learn how an incision and drainage procedure treats your abscessed tooth here.
Look Like a Jack-o-Lantern? Here’s How to Save Your Knocked-Out Tooth
If a knocked-out tooth has you looking like a jack-o-lantern, don’t wait to make an emergency trip to the dentist. We discuss the steps to take after having an adult tooth knocked out here.
How Can Revascularization for the Open Apex Help Restore My Tooth?
When you have an undeveloped tooth root, restoring it after an infection can be challenging. While filling the open tip with a dental sealant has been the traditional approach, revascularization offers a more natural solution. Read on to learn more.
I Cracked a Tooth. Can It Be Saved?
You may have a cracked tooth if you experience tooth pain when you chew or tooth sensitivity to extreme temperatures. Fortunately, broken teeth can generally be saved and normal function restored. Find out how cracked teeth are treated.
Use These Strategies to Stop Grinding Your Teeth
Clenching or grinding your teeth unknowingly (bruxism) can cause tooth and jaw pain and damage to your teeth. We offer some helpful strategies for managing bruxism here. Keep reading!