It’s common to receive a dental crown after having root canal therapy. This is because root canal treatment is designed to treat the inside of teeth and restorations like crowns are used to strengthen the exterior surfaces of them. The only way to know whether you will need a dental crown is when it is recommended by a dentist.
What is a dental crown exactly?
A dental crown is a restoration that is placed over a tooth to cover its biting surfaces and all its sides. Crowns are custom made so that they fit over a person’s tooth and in between adjacent oral structures. One could compare a dental crown to a cap because of the fact that crowns reinforce external tooth structure.
What will my crown look like?
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped and their appearance can vary depending on the types of materials chosen to make the restoration.
Those who want to maintain a natural looking aesthetic will likely choose porcelain or porcelain fused to metal. Both of these options will look very lifelike. Others might choose metals like silver or gold because of their durability and cost.
What is a root canal?
A root canal is part of a tooth’s anatomy. The root canal is located deep inside a tooth and houses the nerve endings and cellular material (dental pulp) of a tooth.
While its common vernacular to refer to endodontic care as a “root canal”, it’s more correct to refer to these procedures as “root canal treatment” or “root canal therapy”.
When is root canal treatment necessary?
Root canal treatment is necessary when the root canal is exposed to oral debris through a dental injury or if the inside of a tooth has developed an infection. Ignoring a dentist’s recommendation for endodontic treatment eventually leads to oral health complications like abscesses, which could result in the loss of a tooth.
Treating root canals saves teeth from the need for extraction. Call us today to reserve a consultation with our skilled dentist.
