Understanding Crown Adhesion After A Root Canal
Posted on: 22 April 2019
If you have an infected tooth, then your dentist may want to complete a root canal as soon as possible. This is best to remove all of the pus and bacteria from the inside of the tooth before it can spread elsewhere in the mouth. Many root canal procedures will require the placement of a crown afterwards. Keep reading to learn why this is the case and also to find out about the procedures your dentist will complete to adhere the crown.
Why Is A Crown Required?
A root canal procedure will essentially leave your tooth dead. While it does remove all of the bacteria and pus from inside the tooth, it also requires the removal of pulp, blood vessels, and the nerve. Without these things, only the hard tooth shell is left behind. As a result, the enamel and dentin will dry out and weaken over time since they will no longer receive the fluids and nutrition they once did.
A dry tooth is brittle and can chip progressively as you bite down on it. Cracks can develop in the enamel and dentin, and since the tooth no longer has a nerve, you will feel no sensations that alert you to the difficulty. A major break is then likely afterwards.
To prevent extensive damage that can lead to a full extraction, your dentist will place a crown on the tooth. The crown will absorb the bulk of the biting stress placed on the tooth, and the natural structure will remain intact.
How Is The Tooth Prepared?
If your dentist decides to secure a crown, then you will likely need a multistep treatment. The first treatment involves the root canal and the treatment in the pulp chamber if the infection was widespread. The tooth is then filled in and the leftover biting edge is sculpted into a thinner and shorter peg. This peg is the attachment point for the new dental crown, which is created after a mold is made.
It will take a few weeks for the crown to be created, so you will receive a temporary one made of acrylic. The crown is then secured once it is ready for you.
As you can see, the root canal and subsequent crown placement will take some time to complete. So, you should be prepared for multiple appointments over the course of about four to six weeks.
If you want to know more about root canal services and why a crown would be secured after the treatment, speak with a dental professional.
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