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Why Should You Get A Dental Crown After Root Canal Therapy?

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If one of your teeth suffers an infection, root canal therapy can remove that infection along with the necrotic pulp or nerve. However, after root canal therapy, you have an important choice to make. You can either place a dental crown over the root canal tooth or settle for a simple dental filling. In many cases, a dental crown is the best option following root canal therapy.

Choosing a dental crown over a dental filling is a wise choice for several important reasons.

To ensure your tooth is natural in colour

After root canal therapy, some teeth change colour and begin to look dull and grey. This is because root canal teeth are no longer alive. Placing a new porcelain crown on your root canal tooth will ensure that your tooth remains natural in colour.

To prevent your tooth from breaking

Root canal teeth are no longer alive. This means that root canal teeth gradually become more brittle over time. Because the nerve or pulp is no longer present inside a root canal tooth, that tooth no long receives nourishment and replenishment. Because teeth can become brittle after root canal treatment, they may eventually break. A dental crown can prevent breakage from occurring.

To keep bacteria from invading your tooth

Without a dental crown, there is a risk that oral bacteria might gain entry to a tooth following root canal therapy. This would lead to a new infection. But if you choose to place a dental crown over the remaining tooth structure after root canal treatment, you can better protect your tooth from reinfection.

To protect you from tooth sensitivity

Following root canal therapy, root canal teeth sometimes become more sensitive than before. This makes drinking hot and cold drinks, and foods painful to consume. Because dental crowns cover the remaining tooth structure after root canal therapy, they can help to protect you from debilitating tooth sensitivity after a root canal.

To prevent root fracture

Root canal treatment can remove an infection from a tooth, but it cannot prevent a tooth from weakening following the treatment. Sometimes, weakened root canal teeth suffer vertical root fractures. If a tooth suffers a vertical root fracture following root canal therapy, that tooth must then be extracted. Dental crown placement will prevent root fractures from occurring after a root canal.

If you are about to have root canal therapy, remember that the best way to protect your tooth afterward is to have your dentist place a crown on the tooth. With a dental crown protecting your tooth you won't have to worry about the problems mentioned in this article. 

For more information about root canals, contact a local dentist. 


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