Do You Need a Dental Crown After a Root Canal?

If you have a root canal planned in the near future, you might be a bit nervous about the process and the aftermath. Fortunately, those worries can be laid to rest because the root canal process is now more advanced and easier than it's ever been. One of the main questions that many people have after a root canal involves dental crowns. Do you actually need a dental crown after a root canal? Read on to find out. 

The Root Canal Process

During a root canal, your dentist will drill into the affected tooth. You won't feel any pain because local anaesthesia is used. Using the newly created opening to the tooth, your dentist will carefully extract the diseased or damaged material from inside the tooth. This pulp consists mainly of nerves. With this pulp removed, the dentist will then do a complete cleaning of the area to make sure that all damaged or diseased material is gone. 

The tooth is then filled with a material called gutta percha. The role of gutta percha is to simply keep the tooth's structure solid. Without the gutta percha, the tooth would be little more than an enamel shell that would be highly vulnerable to breakage. With the gutta percha in place, the dentist will typically then affix a dental crown over the tooth. The crown is needed for a couple of reasons. 

Why a Dental Crown Is Needed

A dental crown is almost always recommended after a root canal. The reasons for this include: 

1. Keeping the filler in place: The dental crown is there to hold the gutta percha in place. Without this protective casing, the gutta percha would be likely to wear away very quickly, leaving the tooth vulnerable again. 
2. Strengthening the tooth: A dental crown gives strength to the entire tooth. A post-root canal tooth that has a dental crown on it is just as strong and secure as a healthy natural tooth—maybe even more so.
3. Enhancing the appearance: Without a dental crown, the gutta percha will be fairly obvious. This can mar the appearance of an otherwise perfect tooth. The dental crown completely conceals the entire tooth with a shell that is a perfect replica of the natural tooth.

As you can see, the answer to the "dental crown after root canal?" question is a resounding "yes." For all of the reasons listed above, your dentist will create a customised dental crown that will leave your tooth looking like new. Contact a dentist who offers dental crowns in your area to learn more.

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