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A root canal treatment aims at saving a severely damaged or infected tooth. However, it only helps preserve the structure of the tooth, but it doesn’t necessarily give the tooth its former strength. In fact, a tooth may become more prone to further damage or breakage following a root canal. That’s where a dental crowns Redwood City is important. In this blog post, we’ll explore why getting a dental crown for a tooth that has had a root canal is so important.

 

What Happens During a Root Canal?

 

Before we go over why you might require a crown, let’s have a brief look at what occurs during a root canal. When the pulp within your tooth becomes infected or inflamed, it is considered to be root canal therapy. The process would involve removing the infected pulp, cleaning and disinfecting the inside of your tooth, and filling this cavity off.

 

While the tooth is saved in the process, it loses much of its natural structure, which makes it fragile. The removal of the pulp makes the tooth more prone to cracks, fractures, and even complete breakage under pressure.

 

Why a Dental Crown is Necessary After a Root Canal

 

  1. Strengthens the Tooth After a root canal, the tooth becomes brittle because of the loss of pulp tissue. A dental crown is a cap that covers the entire tooth, which helps restore strength and prevents it from breaking under pressure.
  2. Prevents Further Damage The structure that remains is weak and thin. The dental crown acts more like a protective shell, preventing harmful bacteria from entering and being able to cause further infections in the tooth. It shields the tooth from normal wear and tear.
  3. Restore Function Your tooth may feel fine after a root canal, but it’s no longer as functional as it once was. A crown restores the tooth’s ability to perform everyday functions like biting and chewing.
  4. Improves Aesthetics Your tooth may appear different after a root canal, especially if it is discoloured. A crown can enhance the appearance of your tooth if the treated tooth lies in an area of your mouth that is considered visible, like the front.
  5. Shields Against Infection A crown seals the tooth over, so no bacteria can get back in there and cause infection again. Even though it’s a root canal tooth, by now, it must have already had some sort of infection taken care of, so you don’t want to create any other complications that could be treated with other procedures.

 

What Kinds of Crowns Are the Best Root Canal Teeth

 

There are a number of options available for crowns, and each has its advantages. Some of the most common types of crowns used for teeth that have had a root canal include:

 

  1. Porcelain Crowns The aesthetic qualities are what make porcelain crowns popular. They are highly resistant, totally natural-looking, and can be colour-matched to blend with your existing teeth. These are ideal for front teeth that are visible when you smile.
  2. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns Such crowns have a right mix of durability and aesthetic appeal. The metal base offers greater durability and is good for back teeth where more pressure is exerted when chewing.
  3. Metal Crowns Metal crowns are made from gold or other alloys and are very strong and durable. While not as attractive as porcelain, they are a good option for molars that are not visible but require strength to withstand heavy forces of biting.
  4. Zirconia Crowns The newer material is zirconia. It is very strong and cannot be damaged easily. It has the ability to assimilate the strength of metal with the aesthetic appeal of porcelain.

 

What to Expect During the Process of Dental Crown

 

The dental crown after a root canal treatment procedure mostly entails visiting your dentist twice.

 

  1. First Visit During the first appointment, your dentist is going to clean and shape the tooth that had the root canal. Impressions of your tooth will be taken in order to ensure a correct fit for the crown. A temporary crown is usually placed over the tooth while your permanent crown is being prepared.
  2. Second Visit: Once your permanent crown is ready, you’ll return to your dentist’s office to have the temporary crown removed and the permanent one placed.

 

The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown After a Root Canal

 

  1. Long-term protection: A crown provides long-term protection and prevents the patient from receiving additional dental treatments.
  2. Saves Tooth Loss: By strengthening the tooth, the crown helps save the tooth and avoids tooth loss.
  3. Improved Confidence: A restored tooth that looks and functions like a natural tooth can improve your confidence in your smile and oral health.

 

Although a root canal saves your tooth from extraction, it is not a complete restoration. For the tooth to be functional and last for a long time, a dental crown is a must after a root canal. Not only does it protect the tooth from further damage, but it also restores its strength, appearance, and functionality.