Ladera Ranch dental patients ask, “Is a crown necessary after root canal therapy?”

We all hope to keep our natural teeth healthy and beautiful for life. That goal is becoming more achievable with today’s standard of dental care, but oral disease and tooth loss remain unfortunately common. If you have an infected, broken, or severely decayed tooth, you probably expect to lose it. However, extraction may not be necessary, with a root canal treatment and tooth restoration.

Understanding root canal treatment

In the center of each tooth is hollow space, known as the pulp chamber and root canals. This is where nerves, blood vessels, and other soft tissues, cumulatively known as dental pulp, are housed. When disease or injury damages the pulp, it can become painful and inflamed. Endodontic therapy, more commonly known as a root canal treatment, is the solution.

During the procedure, the dental pulp is removed from the tooth via a small access opening in the upper part of the tooth. The space if disinfected to eliminate any lingering bacteria. The root canal is then filled and sealed, and the tooth is restored.

Crown vs. filling

After the root canal is filled, the access opening in the tooth needs to be repaired. This can be accomplished with a cosmetic filling, which will effectively seal the tooth and restore its natural beauty. However, teeth become more brittle after root canal treatment, because removal of dental pulp reduces blood supply to the dentin. A dental crown shrouds the tooth in a layer of strong, durable porcelain. The pressure and impact as you bite down will be absorbed by the crown, protecting the underlying tooth from fracture or other damage. This is highly recommended in most cases, especially for back teeth, which are subjected to the greatest pressure.

In our office, a crown is a fast and convenient procedure. We use CAD/CAM technology from CEREC to design and fabricate porcelain restorations right here in our Mission Viejo office. We are proud to serve Ladera Ranch and other communities throughout the area. Just call us at 949-427-2096 and set up a consultation today.