If a root canal is in your future (or your recent past), your primary goal is almost certainly going to focus on doing all you can to preserve and restore your tooth following treatment. Having a dental crown applied after your root canal is one way to improve your long-term results and give you some peace of mind, too.
The team at Dr Taylor’s Family Dental Center typically recommends crown placement following root canal therapy, thanks to the many benefits crowns offer. Here, learn four ways a crown can improve your long-term results following root canal therapy.
Root canal therapy removes the infected and damaged pulp portion of your tooth, preventing severe infections and tooth loss. However, removing tooth material also weakens the tooth structure, meaning it may not withstand the rigors of biting and chewing as well as it once did.
By surrounding the entire visible part of your treated tooth, a dental crown restores tooth function by adding external support that helps your tooth work the way it’s supposed to. Crowns help distribute forces exerted during biting and chewing so you can eat without worrying about damaging the restored tooth.
The change in tooth structure that follows a root canal may also make the tooth more vulnerable to fractures that can compromise the integrity of your tooth, leading to a necessary future root canal or even extraction.
Porcelain and ceramic crowns are strong and durable, and once applied, they act like a protective helmet for your tooth, absorbing impacts and significantly reducing the risk of fractures and their complications. A recent study found crown placement following a root canal significantly increased the survival rates of treated teeth, even a decade after treatment.
Yes, root canal therapy intends to treat tooth infections by removing the infected pulp in the center of the tooth. Sealing afterward helps prevent future infections. But sealing the internal canals doesn’t affect the outer surfaces of your tooth, which means they can still become entry points for infection-causing bacteria.
Applying a crown following a root canal provides a stable, strong barrier for the entire tooth, including the chewing or biting surface. In effect, the crown seals the tooth, providing an effective barrier for germs that can cause future decay and infections.
When the tooth pulp gets removed, the nerves and blood vessels that support the tooth go away, too. As a result, a treated tooth may start to look dingy or gray, detracting from your beautiful smile.
A dental crown is tinted to match your surrounding teeth and contoured for a perfect, comfortable fit. Once applied, a dental crown restores your tooth to its natural appearance, continuing to show your best smile.
Crowns aren’t just for root canal-treated teeth, either. They can also restore chipped teeth, stained teeth, and teeth with large fillings.
To learn more about crowns or root canals, call Dr. Taylor’s Family Dental Center in Waterford, Michigan at 248-681-8100 or request an appointment online today. Offering state-of-the-art care seven days a week with same-day emergency visits, we can help you feel better fast.
