Will I Need a Crown After My Root Canal?

A root canal gives you a way to save a deeply decayed tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted. While it’s worth it in the long run, most people want to get this treatment over with as quickly as possible.

That means things that draw out the process — like getting a crown for the tooth afterward — can feel particularly unwelcome. 

Fortunately, not all root canal patients need a crown. As experts in both of these treatments, Dr. Sujay Trivedi, Dr. Michael Westcott, and our team can help you determine if a crown is the right call for your treated tooth. Visit us here at Family Dental Care in West Palm Beach, Florida, and we can make a personalized plan to restore your tooth. 

Why you may need a crown after a root canal

During a root canal, Dr. Trivedi or Dr. Westcott removes the soft pulp from inside your tooth. That pulp contains nerves, which is why infection or damage reaching the interior part of your tooth often hurts. 

Fortunately, a fully formed tooth doesn’t really need those nerves. Unfortunately, however, the infection or damage that impacted your pulp likely impacted the hard parts of the tooth, too. As a result, its structural integrity might be compromised.

With a crown, we put a protective cover over the tooth. This stabilizes it and defends against future issues. That said, both our team and the American Association of Endodontists say that not all root canal-treated teeth need crowns. 

When you can skip a crown following a root canal

After a root canal, you generally won’t need a crown if the tooth:

• Is still structurally sound 
• Isn’t likely to get infected
• Won’t be subject to excess force

Molars, for example, are more likely to require crowns than canine teeth, for example, because they have to withstand the force of chewing. 

Our team evaluates your mouth to determine if you need a crown, or if you can skip this protective measure. Dr. Westcott and Dr. Trivedi only recommend a crown when it’s best for your continued oral health.

What to expect if you do need a crown restoration

If we recommend a crown, it won’t be overly burdensome. We can take the mold of your tooth at the same appointment as your root canal. This mold allows us to create the crown so it fits precisely over your tooth.

Once your crown has been created, you return to our office. During a relatively quick appointment, we bond it in place. You can then head out with a fully restored tooth that has a layer of protection to defend against future issues. 

In many cases, we can determine if you’ll need a crown before your root canal at Family Dental Care. To see what we recommend for your specific tooth, give us a call at 561-556-1698 today, or use our online booking tool to schedule a visit at your convenience.