If you have received endodontic/root canal therapy in Rocky Mountain House, you might be echoing, “What now?” One option is a dental crown, but do you need one? We can simplify it to help you make the right choice for your smile and your future dental health.
What Happens To Your Tooth After a Root Canal?
A root canal is performed on a compromised/infected tooth. During the procedure, the pulp is removed from the interior of the tooth to save it. With the pulp gone, the tooth can no longer feel pain or temperature, but it is still considered to be alive in the mouth. The tooth will grow weaker over time and be more prone to fractures.
- After a root canal, here is what changes
- The tooth no longer has pulp, making it more likely to weaken and dry out.
- It can not heal or act with pressure like a normal tooth does.
- Without protection, the chances of your tooth cracking or breaking increase.
Why Do You Usually Need A Crown After A Root Canal?
So why crown after a root canal? Good question! The dental crown protects and caps your treated tooth, helping to ensure that your tooth stays strong and protected.
Here are some reasons why your dentist would recommend a crown:
| Reason | Benefit |
| Protection | Shield the weak tooth from breaking under pressure |
| Durability | Helps the tooth last longer after root canal treatment |
| Strength | Restores the tooth’s ability to chew without pain or damage |
| Appearance | Keeps your smile bright because it looks like your real tooth. |
Are There Situations When You Don’t Need a Crown?
It is true that not all root canals, particularly those on front teeth, call for a crown. Here are some reasons you may be able to forgo the crown:
- The tooth is a front tooth and does not take a lot of chewing force.
- An adequate quantity of good teeth remains.
- The root canal area is reasonably strong.
A filling might be all that is required in each of these circumstances. On most back teeth, for example, molars, a crown is required because these teeth bear a lot of chewing forces.
How Does a Crown Help Restore a Tooth?
A crown is significant in tooth restoration. We can think about it like a helmet on your tooth. It caps or covers it and helps the tooth return to a normal functional state.
Here’s what a crown can do:
- Prevent fractures: Protects a tooth from cracking.
- Seal a tooth: Prevents bacteria from entering the tooth and decreases the opportunity for additional infections.
- Restore function: Allows you to bite and chew as you used to.
- Aesthetics: Looks like your natural tooth and blends in nicely with your surrounding teeth colour.
What Happens If I Don’t Get the Crown?
If you do not have the crown done, you may find you have some undesirable traits develop, such as:
- Cracking or breaking of the tooth.
- Pain when chewing.
- Greater chance of needing another root canal procedure or, worse, extraction.
If your dentist near you recommends doing a crown after your root canal, I would take their suggestion & advice and have it done sooner rather than later to avoid some problems listed above.
Do I Need a Crown?
When it comes to keeping a tooth functionally healthy and strong, root canal treatment and a crown are usually the best options (especially for back teeth). It is a smart decision that will help protect your tooth from future issues and is worth it when considering the investment you made in your oral health.
Protect Your Smile at Aspen Dental Clinic
At Aspen Dental Clinic, we care to help you make confident decisions regarding your dental care. If you have recently undergone a root canal or are simply thinking about getting one, our friendly staff is here to advise you at every level, starting with whether you should get a crown or not.
Don’t wait for your tooth to break—Call us today to book a consultation and allow us to help you protect your smile long into the future.
