Do You Need A Dental Crown After Root Canal Therapy?

The thought of root canal treatment might be scary to even the strongest of dental patients. Perhaps it’s something about the idea of a dentist going so deep into the tooth that makes some of us squirm. And when it’s suggested that, on top of that, the repaired tooth may need a crown or cap to seal and restore it fully afterwards, it can seem just too much of an ordeal. Yet that addition could lessen the chance of losing your tooth, or possibly having to undergo another root canal treatment on the same tooth later on.

So, before you run and hide, remember root canal treatment is only done when necessary. And its purpose is to save your tooth and its function, remove or avoid pain, and lessen the risk of an abscess forming.  Root canal treatment is also not much more painful than getting a filling, thanks to modern day anaesthesia, and it’s certainly a lot less painful than the agony untreated root canals could put you through.

And should it be necessary to add a crown to complete the restoration, it will only be done if your dentist or endodontist believes it’s the best, or only, way to save your tooth, and to prolong its functionality in the long term.

When is a Root Canal Necessary?

You may have been battling with pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, or it may be tender when you touch a tooth or chew on it. The tooth might have become darker in colour, and you may even have experienced drainage or swelling. Or you may have felt nothing at all.

However, if your dentist suspects there’s something wrong deep inside your tooth, he or she will take X-Rays. These will show whether there is infection or inflammation in the soft tissue (or pulp) that fills the canals in which nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue run from tooth top to root tip.

Several things may have caused this to happen. It could be the result of decay inside the tooth, or a reaction to repeated dental treatments.  And it could also be caused by a small crack or chip after an injury. Whatever its cause, it’s vital that the canals are treated before the situation worsens enough to cause pain or the formation of an abscess.

The Root Canal Procedure

The only way to stop the rot is to take out the pulp, clean and shape the canals, and then fill and seal them. This is done by cementing a rubbery material into the root canals and applying a temporary filling to the tooth itself in order to block off access to the canals.

The procedure is not yet over. At a second visit, your dentist will remove the temporary filling and undertake permanent restoration of the tooth. This could take the form of a normal filling, but only if the tooth is strong and healthy enough to carry it and there is no risk that the tooth could fracture or will not be properly sealed against bacteria. This is particularly important when the tooth involved is one of the back teeth used for chewing.

Should there be any doubt whatsoever about the structure of the tooth, your dentist may recommend inserting a post into the tooth and using a crown to cap and seal it properly. This will ensure the repair, and your tooth, lasts and functions for a long time to come.

You can play a role in ensuring this repair and tooth last longer, and possibly avoid or delay the need for another root canal repair on it or on another tooth. Avoid chewing on hard foods, be sure to keep up good oral hygiene practices, and arrange regular dental visits.