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What should a quote for a darkened tooth include?
When one tooth has darkened after prior dental treatment, how do dentists decide whether internal bleaching is appropriate or a veneer is the better option? I’m trying to understand what an estimate should cover, not assume that either treatment suits every tooth.
Should the dentist first assess the tooth’s health and the likely cause of the discoloration before quoting cosmetic treatment? And for either option, what follow-up visits or future replacement costs might be billed separately?
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Whether internal bleaching is even on the table depends on the tooth’s history and condition: it’s generally considered for a tooth that’s had root-canal treatment, after the dentist checks that the root filling and surrounding tissues are suitable. If the tooth hasn’t had a root canal, or there’s an infection or another problem to address, diagnosis and treatment come before cosmetic bleaching. That can change an estimate from a cosmetic fee to necessary dental care first.