Dental crowns give a finishing touch in many root canal procedures, but many patients still doubt if they are important. Patients tend to fear the root canal therapy in itself, but it may seem more daunting when including the essence of a dental crown.
Before you opt to go for a root canal procedure without a dental crown, you should understand your decision’s risks and benefits. But lets us first understand the basics of root canal treatment and why dental crowns are needed after the procedure.
What is Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment is a dental procedure designed to remove bacteria from an infected tooth canal, thus preventing reinfection and saving your tooth. When you undergo the root canal therapy, the infected or inflamed pulp is eliminated, and the inside part of your tooth is disinfected and cleaned, then sealed and filled. The infection that has reached the root of your tooth is known as pulpitis (an infection of the pulp). It occurs when tooth decay is left untreated for a long time.
A tooth requiring a root canal procedure can be more painful, but the treatment will help relieve the pain completely. After the therapy, patients will have a tooth that is painless and hollow. Since the tooth will have no pulp inside it, a crown can strengthen your tooth to prevent further delay.
5 Reasons Why a Dental Crown is Necessary after Root Canal Procedure
Studies reveal that fixing a dental crown after root canal treatment improves the probability of your tooth survival. Here are the five important reasons why adding a dental crown after a root canal procedure is required.
1. Restore a Broken Tooth
Your teeth can become more brittle after the root canal procedure. So, you must do something to help strengthen the tooth. The other question that many patients ask after the root canal procedure is how they can restore their teeth?
Many times, your dentist may recommend a dental crown after root canal treatment, but not always. After completing the root canal procedure, your dentist may decide to protect your broken tooth with a crown to restores its pleasing aesthetics and functionality. Dental crowns cover the broken tooth and are vital when the tooth’s integrity in question is poor.
2. Protect From Tooth Sensitivity
As the local anesthetic wears off after the root canal therapy, you might experience some sensitivity and mild pain. This is related to the cleaning process involved during the procedure. During cleaning, your dentist makes a small opening in your tooth and cleans out the infected pulp chamber of your tooth.
After the root canal procedure, some of your teeth’ nerves can become more sensitive to cold and heat. This sensitivity can get very uncomfortable, which is another reason why you should cover your tooth with a dental crown after root canal treatment.
3. Dental Crowns Help Your Teeth Regain a Natural looking Color
If you require an extensive root canal procedure for tooth decay, a dental crown can help restore your smile’s function and form. Dental crowns are designed to match your natural teeth. Once a crown after root canal treatment has been fixed, few people will notice that you put a dental crown treatment. Some teeth may change color after the root canal therapy. If your teeth are deeply stained or grayed, a dental crown can provide a whiter and more natural shade to resemble the remaining teeth. Under the skillful hands and expert eye of Dr. William Fitzgerald, your custom dental crowns will perfectly match your neighboring teeth.
4. Prevents Infection – Reduce Risk
After the root canal therapy, your affected tooth is at a higher risk of contamination and infection. Dental crowns are not just for aesthetic appeal. They can play a vital role in preventing your tooth by sealing it off from the leakages to avoid re-contamination that may necessitate tooth extraction. According to the American Association of Endodontists, root canal infection can be caused by various factors, including chip or crack in a tooth or repeated deep decay oral procedures.
5. Security backup for your teeth
A dental crown after a root canal procedure offers reinforcement to your tooth and restores its functionality and health. This reinforcement protects your teeth from the forces involved in the chewing. This is especially crucial if your tooth had already been damaged.
When a cap safeguards a tooth, the dental crown holds the fragmented pieces together. This prevents your tooth from breaking into small pieces over time. This makes dental crowns a security backup for a tooth that has fragmented into multiple pieces.
Schedule an Appointment to Know About Benefits of Dental Crown After Root Canal Treatment
If you are undergoing root canal treatment for tooth decay, a dental crown can restore your smile’s functionality and form. Once a crown is fixed, people will not know that you underwent an extensive dental procedure. If you live in Murfreesboro and want information on how to achieve the best smile after the root canal procedure, be sure to schedule an appointment online with Dr. William Fitzgerald or call 615-896-7582 to put your mind at ease today.
