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A blow to the mouth or a cracked front tooth can do more than cause visible damage. The impact may injure the nerve inside the tooth, leading to pain, sensitivity, or darkening over time.
When this happens, a root canal removes the damaged or nonvital tissue inside the tooth, preventing future infection and allowing a dental crown to restore strength and appearance. Together, these treatments help preserve your natural tooth and keep your smile healthy and confident.
Why a Damaged Tooth May Need a Root Canal
Each tooth contains soft tissue called pulp, which includes nerves and blood vessels. If trauma disrupts the blood supply to the pulp or bacteria enter through a crack, the tissue can become damaged or die. Without treatment, this can cause persistent discomfort, discoloration, or infection near the root tip.
A root canal allows your dentist to remove the affected tissue, disinfect the canal, and seal the space to protect the tooth. This helps relieve pain and maintain the surrounding bone and gum health.
Common causes of front tooth damage include:
- Sports impacts or falls
- Biting into hard foods or objects
- Accidents that chip or crack the tooth
- Repeated stress or grinding that weakens enamel
- Decay that is untreated and affects the nerve
Even a tooth that looks intact may have internal damage, so it’s important to schedule an exam after any dental trauma.
What Happens During Treatment
A root canal on a front tooth is usually straightforward because these teeth have a single root. After numbing the area, your dentist will:
- Create a small opening in the back of the tooth.
- Remove the damaged or nonvital pulp tissue.
- Clean and disinfect the canal.
- Fill and seal the space with a biocompatible material.
Once the root canal is complete, the next step is restoring the tooth’s structure and appearance with a dental crown.
Our endodontist, Dr. Rosenbaum, performs the root canal in coordination with our restorative team. This allows you to complete both the root canal and final restoration in one place, often in a single visit.
Restoring the Tooth With a Crown
A dental crown protects the tooth after treatment, especially if it has been cracked or weakened. It also restores the natural color and shape of the tooth, blending seamlessly with the rest of your smile.
Front tooth crowns are typically made from ceramic or porcelain materials that mimic the translucency of natural enamel. The process involves shaping the remaining tooth, taking an impression or scan, and placing a custom-made crown once it’s ready.
We offer same-day crowns, allowing most patients to complete their entire restoration in a single visit. Using advanced digital imaging and in-office milling technology, your crown is designed, created, and placed on the same day as your root canal. This means no temporary crown, no waiting period, and a fully restored smile by the time you leave our office.
Recovery and Long-Term Care
Most patients experience only mild tenderness that improves within a few days. Over-the-counter pain medication and gentle brushing are usually all that’s needed during recovery.
To keep your tooth healthy long-term:
- Maintain regular brushing and flossing habits.
- Wear a mouthguard during sports or physical activities.
- Avoid using your teeth to open packages or bite hard objects.
- Attend routine dental visits for exams and cleanings.
With proper care, a restored front tooth can last for many years and continue to look and function naturally.
Complete Care for a Restored, Healthy Smile
With an on-site endodontist and same-day crown technology, Morris Dental Solutions makes it possible to repair a damaged front tooth in just one visit. You can expect comfortable, precise care from start to finish.
If you’ve experienced damage to a front tooth, our team is here to help you restore strength, comfort, and appearance with lasting results.
To schedule an appointment at our dental office in Buffalo Grove, IL, call (847) 215-1511 or visit us at 195 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Suite 160, Buffalo Grove, IL.
FAQs
Modern dental treatment techniques and anesthesia make the process pain-free. You may feel slight tenderness afterward, but it’s usually mild and short-lived.
Not always. Some patients only need a filling, while others benefit from a permanent crown for added strength and aesthetics. Your dentist will suggest what’s best based on your case.
Front tooth crowns are custom-made from ceramic or porcelain materials that closely match your natural enamel. Once placed, the crown blends seamlessly with surrounding teeth.
