If you have a tooth that is severely decayed, damaged, or infected, then your dentist may recommend you get a root canal to save it. Root canal treatment effectively preserves the tooth and prevents complications that may cause tooth loss. Furthermore, a tooth treated with root canal has improved long-term success of up to 90% if it is restored with a dental crown.
Root canal therapy and dental crowns go hand-in-hand. A dental crown protects the weakened tooth, rebuilds its structure and appearance, and prevents future reinfection and damage. Ideally, it should be placed after getting a root canal to help extend the life of the tooth. But, this is not always the case.
Read to learn more about root canal and dental crowns to give you a better understanding of these dental treatments.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a treatment done to save an infected or damaged tooth. It involves cleaning the inside of the tooth, or the root canals, to disinfect the tooth, eliminate infection, and restore it to good health. This is recommended if dental fillings are no longer enough to save the tooth and a more comprehensive treatment needs to be done.
Some cases that may require a root canal are:
- A large crack or cavity on your tooth
- Presence of significant tooth decay that has reached the tooth pulp
- Dental infection
- Severe toothache and swollen gums due to infection
- Discoloured tooth due to trauma
What is a Dental Crown?
Meanwhile, a dental crown is a tooth cap that is placed over a damaged tooth. It is usually made with tooth-coloured porcelain or ceramic material to improve the natural appearance and rebuild the strength of the tooth.
A dental crown is almost always placed after getting a root canal. Root canal treatment on a severely damaged or decayed tooth may further weaken it. To prevent damage that may cause complications, a dental crown should be placed on the tooth after root canal.
Why is a Crown Needed After a Root Canal?
Root canal treatment is a procedure that is done to remove existing infection. Once the infection is eliminated and the tooth is disease-free, the next step is to restore it— both in structure and appearance. This will improve the strength and aesthetics of the tooth and ensure the long-term success of the treatment.
Without a dental crown, the tooth is prone to damage and reinfection because it lacks a protective cover that can allow it to function as normal. Eventually, the treatment will fail and the remaining healthy tooth structure may be damaged. If this happens, tooth extraction is recommended.
Benefits of a Crown After a Root Canal
There are several reasons why a crown should be placed after a root canal, such as:
Improves the form and function of the tooth
A dental crown should be able to allow the tooth to function as normally as possible. This includes providing strength to the weakened tooth to withstand daily biting and chewing. Crowns made from porcelain and zirconia offer incredible durability that can keep your teeth strong and healthy for a long time.
Creates a natural-looking smile
Dental crowns are bespoke to your smile. Each is altered to mimic the size, shape, colour, and overall appearance of the natural tooth. This ensures a seamless restoration that perfectly matches your smile.
Prevents tooth sensitivity
A tooth cap provides complete coverage for the tooth, including the tooth pulp where the nerves are. With this, a crown can effectively protect the tooth from food and drinks that may trigger sensitivity.
Protects the tooth against reinfection
A dental crown provides a complete seal to the root canal treated tooth, covering holes and cavity where decay was previously present. This ensures that no bacteria can go in the tooth that may cause reinfection.
Process of Crown Placement
After you complete root canal treatment, the dental crown restoration generally involves four treatment phases. Here is a step-by-step guide so you can understand what is done in each phase:
- Preparing the tooth
The first step is to reshape the tooth to prepare it to receive the dental crown. If there is not enough tooth structure to hold the crown in place, a post and core restoration is completed to serve as reinforcement to the weakened tooth.
- Taking an impression
Then, a mould will be taken using a dental impression. This can be completed using a traditional putty or an intraoral scanner. This is used as a guide where the crown will be created.
- Placing a temporary crown
While you wait for your crown, a customized temporary crown will be placed on the tooth to prevent any damage and sensitivity.
- Cementing the crown restoration
Any alterations to the tooth crown, such as the color, shape, and size, should be done before it is cemented in place. Your bite will also be checked to ensure optimal comfort when you chew and bite. If everything is up to quality, a permanent cement will secure the crown and prevent any shifting during function.
Alternatives to a Dental Crown
While a dental crown is the ideal restoration after root canal treatment, we understand that it may not be accessible for everyone. Some options that you can choose as an alternative are:
Tooth Filling
This is recommended if the root canal treatment did not cause significant tooth reduction. A tooth filling should suffice to cover and protect the tooth. However, a filling is not recommended for a larger restoration as it will break down easily.
Tooth Extraction
When considering getting a root canal treatment done, it is also important to ensure that the tooth will be restorable, whether it is through a filling or crown. In situations where there is large decay or damage present and restoring the tooth is not a sustainable option, a tooth extraction may be a better option.
Dental Implant
If tooth extraction is done, the next goal is to replace the tooth to prevent consequences such as shifting of teeth. Dental implants offer a modern solution to lost teeth by providing a lifelike replacement that mimics the function and appearance of natural teeth.
If you want to learn more about dental crowns, root canal treatment, and other dental treatments to make your smile beautiful and healthy for a long time, our team at Sierra Dental can help. With our broad range of treatments and a team of exceptional dentists and staff, we are dedicated to creating a personalized treatment plan tailored to your individual smile goals. Call us today to schedule!