There are many ways that a root canal can affect a tooth.  To begin with, a root canal can leave a tooth brittle and weak.  Cosmetic dentists recommend fitting the tooth a root canal crown that will strengthen, cover, and protect it.

This is very necessary, because the inner pulp layer of a tooth is where all the nerves and blood vessels are found.  The majority of the tooths blood supply is lost when a dentist has to remove the infected tooth pulp during the root canal.  There is far less support for the tooth due to the fact that the center has been removed, and now only the sides remain. 

A tooth that has undergone a root canal is more likely to break when a person bites down on food.  Even when someone eats a regular diet, the normal pressure of biting and chewing places a tremendous amount of force on the teeth.   A tooth that has been treated by a root canal and weakened in the process is brittle, and it is more likely to crack and break if it is not protected by a root canal crown. 

There are several types of root canal crowns.  There are gold crowns, and there are porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, and there are all porcelain.  All porcelain crowns are the most popular because they look practically identical to natural teeth. 

Most root canal crowns are fitted to back teeth, because many front teeth front teeth can often be sufficiently treated with a filling.  These are general principles, however, not hard-fast guidelines. 

Busy patients often ask if root canals and root canal crowns can be handled all in a single visit. 

While we wish this were possible, it is not.  In fact, it may take a minimum of three visits to our office to finish a root canal and then later place a root canal crown.  There are several steps to this process, listed below. 

1. The dentist drills through the crown of the tooth in order to access the infected pulp chamber.

2. The dentist removes the tooth pulp.

3. The dentist then cleans, enlarges, and shapes the root canals so they will accept the filling material.

4. If harmful bacteria are detected, the dentist treats the root canal with medication.

5. The dentist will then place a temporary filling in the tooth while he or she waits for the infection to clear up.

6. When the patient returns to the dental office, the dentist removes the temporary filling and the root canals are filled with permanent filling.

7. The dentist takes impression of the teeth, and a dental lab custom makes the root canal crown for the patients tooth.

8. When the crown is ready, the dentist shapes, polishes it, and fits it.

The crown will last for an extremely long period of time, depending on how well it is taken care of.  The patient must remember that the tooth beneath the surface of the crown can still suffer from decay.   Plaque will often form at the bottom of the crown and work its way under the surface.  This is called margin decay, and it can cost a tooth if steps are not taken to prevent it. 

The most important thing that a person needs to do is to practice sound oral hygiene by brushing and flossing the crowns base.  Individuals with root canal crowns need to see their dentist regularly for periodic checkups and cleaning.  This will ensure that the crown, tooth, and gum tissue around it stay in good shape.