Root canals are typically performed through a dental crown. In most cases, it is the natural dental crown drilled when performing root canal therapy. The treatment helps eliminate a severe infection inside the tooth but renders it fragile to need fortification with an artificial dental crown. Dental crowns help fortify the tooth by restoring its strength, appearance, and functionality.
Root Canal Therapy — Basic Guide
A root canal helps remove the infected or inflamed dental pulp from inside the tooth structure for replacement with inert material. The treatment becomes essential on teeth with extensive decay or damage and beyond repair by fillings but does not warrant extraction because the tooth is healthy.
When performing a root canal, the dentist in Portland, OR, administers local anesthesia in your mouth with sedatives to ensure the treatment is painless and you remain calm. Rubber dams placed in your mouth help prevent contamination from saliva during the process.
The dentist drills a hole in the natural dental crown to expose the dental pulp. After that, they remove the infected or inflamed pulp with the nerves to eliminate the infection. Next, they clean and shape the root canals before filling and sealing them with a biocompatible rubber-like material, gutta-percha. Finally, the dentist closes the access hole in the dental crown with a temporary filling and suggests getting a dental crown in Portland to protect its integrity.
Depending on which tooth is affected, a root canal may require one or two appointments. Although the therapy is considered painful, an endodontist specializing in treating infections inside the tooth is also an expert in pain management. Therefore you will likely not experience pain or anxiety during your treatment, although you can expect mild discomfort later.
Can a Root Canal Be Done on a Crowned Tooth?
If the dental office nearby performs a root canal through a natural dental crown executing the treatment from an artificial dental crown is also a reality.
If you do not maintain a crowned tooth as your dentist recommends, dental plaque and bacteria will accumulate around the crown. The accumulation can infect the underlying tooth causing severe infections to need a root canal.
If you need a root canal on a crowned tooth, the dentist will try performing the treatment through the crown just as they do with the natural dental crown. They will drill the dental crown to access the dental pulp and remove it before sealing the tooth with a permanent restoration.
However, some exceptions are considered when performing root canals on a crowned tooth.
- If you have excessive decay that requires restoration removal to access the pulp or extract the tooth.
- If you have a damaged restoration during your treatment, the porcelain material can chip or break, leaving the crown inefficient to protect your tooth or be repaired.
- When performing a root canal, if the dentist discovers additional damage like root fractures, they will recommend tooth extraction and replacement with substitutes.
How Long Do Root Canals Last with Crown?
Root canals have a 98 percent success rate, and when you restore the treated tooth with a dental crown, you can expect the treatment to last for many years. However, you must exercise caution to maintain the tooth and dental hygiene appropriately by brushing and flossing as your dentist recommends, using antibacterial mouthwash for rinsing, and getting six monthly exams and cleanings. Dental exams and cleanings are incredibly essential to eliminate dental plaque accumulating around your teeth and the restored tooth. Therefore you are responsible for ensuring you never overlook dental visits to ensure you do not need another root canal on a crowned tooth by allowing dental plaque to accumulate around it to fall prey to severe decay in the tooth that, if left untreated, will necessitate an extraction.
Endodontists perform root canals with advanced training in treating infections inside the tooth. They are also the experts in pain management and ensure you remain calm and painless during the treatment, whether they perform it on your natural tooth or a restored tooth with a dental crown. In addition, they help eradicate the infection in your tooth to help you preserve it for many years with restorations like a dental crown.
If you need a root canal on a restored tooth, do not express concerns because Pham Dental Care performs the therapy through dental restoration. Instead, kindly schedule a meeting with them today to discuss your situation and receive a root canal before your tooth condition necessitates an extraction.