Here's Why Your Tooth Might Darken After a Root Canal (and What to Do About It)

Even though a root canal treatment is incredibly routine, this isn't to suggest that it's unimportant or optional. In fact, if this treatment is avoided or significantly delayed, your options may be significantly reduced, with tooth extraction being the only way forward. Although the removal of the tooth's infected nerve (also called the pulp) will restore the functionality of your tooth, its physical appearance may change. It's not a certainty for everyone who undergoes a root canal, but why do some people notice that their treated tooth has changed colour? 

Cause of Discolouration

As the tooth nerve is attacked by a bacterial infection, it becomes inflamed and expands inside its chamber. This leaves a residue (primarily blood) on the walls of the pulp chamber. When your dentist removes the infected pulp and irrigates the chamber, this residue can remain. This can be unavoidable in some cases, as the walls of the chamber are made of your tooth's dentin, which is porous. Once the pulp chamber has been filled with a biocompatible latex material, the tooth is sealed with a filling—and a dental crown is often required as the finishing touch to stabilise the tooth. The trouble is that the finished tooth can now be noticeably darker.

An Aesthetic Concern

This discolouration is an aesthetic concern rather than any issue with the health or general strength of the tooth. A darkened tooth does not mean that your root canal has failed, which is good news. Of course, your dentist won't expect you to put up with a noticeably discoloured tooth, so there are ways to restore its appearance.

Dental Crowns

One of these ways may already be decided upon. After a root canal, a dentist adds a temporary filling, which is easy to remove in case your pulp chamber needs further attention (such as if some of your inflamed dental pulp has remained and needs to be removed). After this, a permanent filling is added. Did your dentist mention that you will need a dental crown? If so, your discolouration is a temporary problem that already has a solution. Once the crown has been added, the tooth's discolouration will be concealed. But what about when your tooth doesn't technically need a dental crown?

Internal Bleaching

Even when a crown isn't needed for stability, one can be added to conceal your discolouration. The other choice is internal bleaching, when your dentist reopens your tooth to place a small bleaching strip. This will slowly discharge its active ingredients, lightening your tooth from the inside. You may need to repeat this process a few times until the desired colour has been achieved.

It can be disappointing when your tooth has its health restored while simultaneously having its appearance altered for the worst. Rest assured, there are ways to restore your tooth's appearance after a root canal if needed.