Is A Dental Crown Necessary After Root Canal Treatment?

Tooth decay is a common dental issue that affects many of us at some point in our lives. If the decay is severe, it can even cause nerve inflammation, known as neuritis. Apart from removing the tooth, a dentist may recommend root canal treatment to try to save the tooth. What exactly is root canal treatment? Is a dental crown a must after the treatment?

What is root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic therapy, is a dental procedure used to treat tooth decay. The dentist will remove infected or dead pulp tissue from inside the tooth to prevent the infection from spreading to periodontal tissues and alveolar bone, which can cause even more damage. The root canal will then be sealed to preserve the tooth.

Is putting on a dental crown necessary after the treatment?

After clinical diagnosis, your dentist may recommend getting a dental crown to protect your tooth if it becomes too fragile after treatment. This can prevent it from further damage and even fracture. The benefits of installing a dental crown are:

-Protect the tooth from cracking

After root canal treatment, your tooth will become fragile and may crack easily if you bite on hard surfaces. A dental crown can prevent this from happening.

-Improve the shape and colour of the tooth

The tooth is dead after the therapy, therefore will become darker in colour over time. Getting a dental crown can restore its appearance.

-Prevent further infection

The root canal will be filled during the treatment, but the filling may wear out over time, making it easier for bacteria to invade again. But a dental crown is less likely to be damaged and it can protect your tooth from further bacterial infection as well.

But there are some cases where a dental crown is not necessary, for example, if the tooth decay is mild or if there is no malocclusion (misaligned teeth). Your dentist will decide whether you should install a dental crown or not based on clinical judgment. Most dentists will recommend getting dental crowns if the root canal treatment is performed on premolars or molars, as foreign studies have shown that over half of the patients who hadn’t worn dental crowns after a root canal treatment on premolars or molars ended up with tooth fracture after three years. Yet, if the treatment is performed on your incisors and the surgery is not extensive, or if your tooth does not have significant decay or damage, you may not need to get a dental crown.

How should I protect my tooth after the treatment?

The treatment will only remove inflamed pulp and treat tooth decay, so patients still need to maintain good oral hygiene and avoid chomping down on hard foods to prevent decay or breakage. And sometimes, bacteria may not be completely eliminated in the pulp, leading to reinfection and pain. If this happens, see a dentist to evaluate whether additional treatment, such as another root canal therapy or tooth extraction, is necessary.

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