RESTORING THE TOOTH AFTER ROOT CANAL

Once a root canal is completed, there are several ways the tooth may be restored. If a small opening was made in the tooth to do the root canal, and the rest of the tooth is healthy, a tooth colored filling may be indicated. More commonly after a root canal, the tooth needs a crown.

Typically, teeth that require root canal treatment, have already been compromised by decay, fracture, existing fillings or a combination of these. A crown can restore form and function to the tooth and seal the tooth from potential bacterial penetration. The crown can be made in the dentist's office using a special machine or created in a dental laboratory. Crowns can be all metal, porcelain fused to metal, or all ceramic.

First, your dentist will have to build up a foundation to strengthen the tooth and support the crown. This buildup is called a core. To help hold the core in place, your dentist may have to use a post. A post is a metal, ceramic or fiberglass rod. Fiberglass posts have gained in popularity and are the newest type of post material. Studies have found a higher success rate with fiberglass posts when compared to metal posts.

There are two ways to put a post and core in a tooth. The post can be pre-made and used with a core material that is built up around it. Or the post and core can be custom-made in one piece to fit your tooth.

This second type is used when a significant amount of the tooth is lost. The custom-made post will take two dental visits. During the first visit, your dentist prepares the tooth and takes an impression so the post and core can be made. During the second visit, your dentist cements the post and core to the tooth. Finally, a crown is made and cemented onto the tooth, post and core.

Any restoration should be done as soon as possible after root canal treatment to achieve the highest level of success.

Last updated May 7, 2021

References:

• Sharma D, Agrawal S, Gangurde P, Agarwal S, Srichand R, Sharma V. Awareness, attitude, and practice of dental practitioners toward management of endodontically treated teeth and factors associated with it: A questionnaire descriptive survey. J Family Med Prim Care. 2020 Feb 28;9(2):1113-1118. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_923_19. PMID: 32318477; PMCID: PMC7113921.
• Wang X, Shu X, Zhang Y, Yang B, Jian Y, Zhao K. Evaluation of fiber posts vs metal posts for restoring severely damaged endodontically treated teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Quintessence Int. 2019;50(1):8-20. doi: 10.3290/j.qi.a41499. PMID: 30600326.