Why Are Porcelain Veneers Used After Root Canal Therapy?

Sometimes the unexpected can happen. Patients may find themselves with extreme pain in a tooth, or an abscess that may have developed on their gums. In many cases, this is due to an infection that has occurred that is beyond the patient’s control. The infection has reached the nerve that feeds the tooth and keeps it alive. Such situations require the patients to undergo a root canal treatment to relieve the pain and discomfort that they are experiencing. Dental treatments such as root canals in the San Jose and Fremont areas can be done by Dr. Munira Lokhandwala of StarBrite Dental.

Root canals require that Dr. Munira Lokhandwala remove the dental pulp from the inside of a tooth. Dr. Lokhandwala will first numb the patient and will work on the tooth to perform what is called an Open and Med. This will immediately relieve the pain associated with the infection, as the nerve has been removed. Special instruments are used to remove the dental pulp, which includes the nerves. After this, the canals in which these nerves resided, have to be cleaned out thoroughly to remove all traces of the infection, and then treated to disinfect the canal. Once this is done, the enamel of the tooth (the out white portion), will start to become brittle as it has lost its blood supply. This brittleness increases with time and if the tooth is not crowned it will eventually break. Once it breaks then installing a crown on the broken tooth is more difficult and depending on how the tooth breaks, it may require an extraction. To help protect the tooth, the dentist may cover it with a dental crown or porcelain veneer if that is appropriate.

By placing a porcelain veneer or a dental crown on the tooth, it can help provide protection for the tooth. Teeth that have undergone root canals may become more susceptible to breakage and cracking. Teeth near the back of the mouth will be able to have a dental crown bonded over the top, while teeth near the front of the mouth may benefit from a porcelain veneer.

When undergoing a root canal, Dr. Lokhandwala will discuss with you the options available for protecting your tooth after root canal therapy. San Jose and Fremont area residents can visit StarBrite Dental for state-of-the-art treatments and complete, comprehensive care from Dr. Lokhandwala and her staff. Contacting StarBrite Dental for treatment is as easy as calling the office and scheduling your first consultation appointment and examination. Contact Dr. Lokhandwala today to see how porcelain veneers and other cosmetic dentistry restorations can help protect and rejuvenate your smile.