If I have to wait a few weeks after my root canal before putting in a crown, why do I need one?
There are several reasons why crowns are used after a root canal. Here, we’ll provide an overview of the main reasons dentists now use crowns to seal the tooth. After undergoing treatment for a root canal, patients are often told they have to have a dental crown put in to help extend the life of the tooth. That’s because in order to gain access to the patient’s root canal, the dentist must remove a considerable amount of tooth material in the process. This means that the teeth are weakened and subject to breakage over time. To help prevent the breakage of the tooth, the dentist will likely recommend the use of crowns after a root canal.
If contaminants from the mouth enter the system, they can cause the root canal treatment to fail. This phenomenon is called coronal leakage and can lead to a tooth, on which root canal treatment has been completed, becoming re-contaminated. This is one of the leading reasons behind failure of root canal treatments and so dentists now utilize crowns to prevent this type of issue from occurring and ensure patients achieve a seamless recovery.
What determines the timing of the crown placement?
We know the advantages that crowning a root canal treatment can bring to the patient. But it’s also important to understand the factors affecting the timing of the crown placement after the root canal has been completed. Leading factors that determine the timing of the crown placement include:
- The extent of the infection in the tooth
- The extent of the treatment completed during the root canal
- Whether the dentists discovered any abscesses
- Additional problems discovered via a dental x-ray
In general, crown placement is completed one month after the root canal has been completed. But dentists may recommend more or less time between the crown placement and the root canal, depending on the individual’s treatment requirements. Crown placement can help reduce the chances of tooth infection and improve tooth durability for root canal patients. Speak with your local dentist to learn more on the treatment process.