Is It a Waste of Money to Get Cosmetic Work on an Athlete’s Dark Front Tooth?

Posted by AllSmiles

Is doing cosmetic dental work a waste of money since my daughter is an athlete? She is a collegiate basketball player in Tennessee, but our family lives in Georgia. She fell and fractured her front tooth during practice. A dentist did a root canal on the tooth, but it’s starting to turn gray. The dentist recommends a veneer, but I don’t want her to have anything artificial done to her tooth if it isn’t necessary. She has a great smile, and we don’t want to mess it up. The other issue is that my daughter says the tooth is sensitive to cold. I’m now worried that she will lose the tooth and need a dental implant. Considering that my daughter is an athlete, I’m unsure if either treatment is correct. If she has another impact to her mouth, is doing cosmetic work a waste of money? – Quinn

Quinn,

Ensure a dentist has advanced cosmetic dentistry training before working on your daughter’s tooth. If the dentist who performed the root canal knew how to prevent the tooth from turning dark, this would not be an issue. It is safe to say that you might need to switch dentists to get the issue resolved.

What Causes a Tooth to Turn Dark Soon After Root Canal Treatment?

A tooth can turn dark after treatment from leftover root canal filling material. Consider a few facts about how the issue develops and how a dentist can resolve it:

• Filling materials – If a dentist leaves root canal filling material in the upper portion of a tooth, the tooth will get dark quickly.
• Leftover tooth pulp – If your dentist does not thoroughly remove the pulp inside the tooth, the remaining tissue will decompose, darken, and make your tooth darker.
• Finding a resolution—A skilled cosmetic dentist knows how to whiten the tooth and conceal the discoloration with a porcelain crown or veneer, depending on which tooth is affected. A cosmetic dentist will ensure the dental crown or veneer matches your daughter’s surrounding tooth.

When an Athlete Needs a Tooth Restored

Your daughter plays sports at the collegiate level, so she undoubtedly wears a mouthguard while on the court. An impact on her mouth or face can affect any tooth, including the currently dark one. There is no guarantee that a dental restoration will stay intact if your daughter has another accident.

We recommend getting a second opinion from another dentist to discuss treatment options. Let the dentist know that your daughter plays sports and explain your concerns about how long the restoration might last under those conditions.

The dentist will examine and x-ray your daughter’s tooth to determine what is causing the sensitivity. Replacing the tooth with a dental implant is unnecessary if it is still healthy. But a cosmetic dentist will explain her options.

Chandler, Arizona, dentists Dr. William Walden and Dr. Tyrel Beavers sponsor this post.