Now that my root canal is complete do I really need a crown?

Dr. Kehler Says:

“I always recommend doing it. Statistically back teeth with root canals that do not get crowns do not last as long. The kind of cracks that causes you to lose the tooth are fractures and are cumulative. You don’t see or feel them until the tooth is past the point of saving and needs to be extracted. We recommend a crown to be placed within the first year for this reason. Our Practice is about prevention, but it’s also about making an educated decision, so here is why we recommend getting a tooth crowned after a root canal procedure:”

A root canal procedure requires one or more appointments and can be performed by a dentist or endodontist (a root canal specialist). Root canal treatment involves the complete removal of the nerve and the living tissue found in the tooth. In order for the dentists to access the pulp cavity of the tooth, they have to remove a reasonable amount of the tooth substance. This results in a weaker tooth structure. The tooth is more vulnerable to breaking when under pressure.

It is also important to know that teeth requiring this type of treatment have also already lost a lot of their structural integrity. People usually require root canal treatment because of the loss of a great amount of the structure of the tooth to decay or any other catastrophe. The tooth’s structure has therefore already undergone compromise by the time the patient comes in for treatment.

The CDA (Canadian Dental Association) often recommend placing the crown on top of a posterior tooth that has undergone root canal treatment. The crown acts as reinforcement to the tooth and it will prevent the tooth from cracking, acting like a helmet.

A dental crown covers the entire exposed surface of the tooth. Placing of the crown need not be on the tooth immediately following the root canal. Delay in placing the dental crown depends on the recommendations of your dentist. It is however important to ensure placement of the crown as soon as possible where the damage to the tooth was extensive.

If you have any questions or concerns please call our office!