A dental crown reinforces and restores a tooth after root canal therapy. Once the root canal treatment on the tooth is complete, a dental crown helps protect and strengthen the tooth. Although tooth reinforcement is needed after all root canal procedures, a dental crown is only required sometimes.
It is important to note that a root canal tooth is prone to cracking or chipping because it is weaker than a natural tooth. The reason for this is because the treatment involves removal of pulp, causing the tooth to die as the blood supply is severed.
In almost all cases, the dentist will recommend that a crown be placed on a molar whose dental pulp has been removed. Depending on the situation of your tooth, the dentist will come up with a good and permanent solution. However, If you have had the tooth restored before, then it is advised that you get a dental crown.
Most patients recover after a few days or so. In some cases, patients go through complications. These patients may take one to two weeks to heal. Any pain or swelling that pain medication cannot relieve will need treatment from the dentist or a doctor.
While root canals are pretty common, there are some drawbacks to having this procedure done. One of those drawbacks is that it might weaken the tooth. Dentists have to drill through the tooth in order to get to the pulp, and additional decay might have to be removed.
Teeth that receive a root canal and then a filling and crown last about 20 years. Teeth that receive either a filling or a crown after a root canal last about 11 years. Teeth that receive no restorative work after a root canal last about 6.5 years.
Root Canals Can Reduce Tooth Strength
Chemical agents used to clean out the interior of the tooth can also weaken the tooth. They are acidic, which means they dissolve some of the natural tooth material, weakening it further.
Tooth fracture – The only long-term side effect of getting root canal treatment done has to do with the increased brittleness of the treated tooth.
After your procedure wait until the numbness in your mouth wears off before eating so you won't bite your cheek or tongue. Don't chew or bite down on the treated tooth until it is fully restored by a dentist to avoid damaging it.
Foods to Avoid After a Root Canal Procedure
Very hot and very cold foods and beverages, which can irritate sensitive teeth. Sticky foods like gum, caramels, and other candies. Chewy foods like steak and crusty bread. Hard foods like nuts.
Can I Brush My Teeth After a Root Canal? The short answer is yes! It's very rare that any dentist will instruct you to not brush your teeth after a dental procedure. Once the numbing medication has completely worn off, you are free to brush your teeth as you normally would.
With proper care, even teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a lifetime. But sometimes, a tooth that has been treated doesn't heal properly and can become painful or diseased months or even years after treatment.
According to the American Association of Endodontists, root canals have a success rate of over 95% and in most cases they last a lifetime.
Due to a lot of misinformation, most people resist the idea of having a root canal. If left untreated, however, root canal infections will most likely lead to tooth loss and the need for more extensive restorative treatments at a later date, such as implant dentistry.
In most cases, root canal therapy is a better way to treat an infected tooth than an extraction. However, there are exceptions, such as if the tooth has suffered extreme damage. Your dentist will carefully analyze your oral health before making a treatment recommendation.
Root canal therapy is generally safe and effective, with a success rate of more than 95%. Like any other medical or dental procedure, though, a root canal can occasionally fail. This is normally due to a loose crown, tooth fracture, or new decay. Root canals can fail soon after the procedure, or even years later.
According to many endodontists, those aged 24 and 44 are the majority of those seeking a root canal consultation. Thus, patients between 24 and 44 are classified as Tier 1 patients who need a root canal and these are the average number of root canals by age.
The need for a crown is typically determined by the amount of remaining tooth structure after a root canal. Generally, if more than half of the tooth is gone, a crown is indicated to restore the tooth's structural integrity.
What happens after? A root canal often weakens the outer tooth. Because a big part of the tooth's structure is removed during a root canal, the outer tooth is likely to crumble if it is not reinforced with a crown.
Impact of Root Canals
If you need a root canal done, especially on a tooth you plan to veneer, you should, if possible, do it before the veneer is placed. Often when getting a root canal the tooth will darken. Sometimes the dental materials used on the root even cause a coloration change. Veneers are very thin.
Can an infection spread to the gums or to other teeth? Like any other infection, a root canal infection can spread to surrounding tissue in the mouth, including other teeth, gums, and tissue in the cheeks and face.
Tenderness or pain in the tooth when applying pressure, even after recovering from treatment. Swelling after recovery or pimple-like structures developing and leaking pus in the area. Temperature sensitivity, such as a quick, sharp pain after taking a sip of hot coffee or cold soda.