Can you get a crown the day after a root canal?

It seems that our schedules continue to get busier these days and are full of activities that need to be accomplished, particularly this time of year. If you are dealing with the challenge of an infected or injured tooth, you may wonder if you really have to schedule a dental appointment to place a permanent crown over a tooth that’s been treated with a root canal. There’s so much else to do!

You may ask,“Can’t I wait until early next year to schedule my crown appointment?” The short answer to that question is NO. Here are a few reasons why you should schedule your follow up appointment to receive your crown within one to three weeks after your root canal.

Reasons Why You Should Not Delay Getting A Crown After Root Canal Treatment

1. A longer wait means a longer period of being extra careful. Many of the instructions you receive after your root canal – especially the ones related to eating soft, bland foods – are designed to protect the temporary crown. If you wait longer to get a crown, you will have to continue that regimen.
2. Until a final restoration (crown) is placed, your tooth remains at risk of further damage. A root canal-treated tooth can be more brittle after the procedure, and a permanent crown is needed to prevent future damage.
3. Your tooth may suffer extra sensitivity without a crown. Some teeth treated by root canals can become more sensitive to heat or cold. Permanent crowns reduce this effect.
4. The longer you wait, the more likely you are to have the temporary crown fall out. Your temporary crown is not secured to your tooth in the same way a permanent crown is. If it falls off, the chances that you will experience increased pain or reinfection can skyrocket, as can cost. Such situations often result in unplanned emergency trips to the dentist.
5. A permanent crown gives your natural tooth the best shot at long-term survival. A study published in the May 2020 Journal of Endodontics reported that natural teeth treated with a permanent crown restoration have a survival rate of more than 90 percent over nine years. The extra layer of outer protection provided by the crown safeguards the interior protection offered by the root canal.

“Having a root canal is the first step to rescuing a compromised natural tooth,” says Dr. Susan L. Wood, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Having a permanent crown placed over that tooth within one to three weeks ensures a much higher level of certainty that your tooth repair will last a lifetime.”

If you have an infected tooth or one that has decayed pulp, you’ll need immediate treatment from your dentist. Your provider will carry out a root canal procedure to clean the tooth and save it from further damage. However, a root canal can impact your tooth’s strength, making it weaker, and you may need something to hold it back, like a dental crown. A dental crown is sometimes also referred to as a “cap” that appears as a natural tooth. Furthermore, tooth caps are placed over the affected tooth/teeth after a root canal treatment.

But What Happens If You Don’t Get A Root Canal?

1. You’ll have a painful tooth, and by any chance, if the infection invades the pulp of your tooth, the pain will not go away on its own. So, the answer to the question “Do I Really Need A Root Canal?” is, Yes!
2. There is a chance that the infection may spread and make things worse. Unfortunately, if you leave the oral infections untreated, they can lead to an abscess and may reach other parts of the body.
3. There can be severe impacts on the tooth’s nerves, and they may even die.
4. You may have to compromise your natural teeth that can be saved with a root canal procedure.

Is A Crown Necessary After A Root Canal Procedure?

Yes! After a root canal treatment, a dental crown is something that helps restore the functionality and health of a tooth. Even if you don’t get one, you will still need to go for tooth restoration each time you get a root canal. Thus, it is best to get a crown whenever you complete a root canal procedure.

A root canal and crown: Do they go well together? Having a dental crown after a root canal treatment will increase the chances of your tooth’s survival.

Reasons For Getting A Dental Crown After A Root Canal

• Restores a Fragile Tooth

After a root canal treatment, your tooth can turn weak due to the drilling, cavity, or decay. Crowning after a root canal can bring back the strength of the tooth, making it last longer.

• Protects a Tooth from Sensitivity

Sometimes, root canal therapy can impact the tooth’s existing nerves, making them oversensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks. This can be a troublesome situation. Specifically,  a dental crown can save you from pain and discomfort; that is why you need a crown after a root canal procedure.

• Retains a Natural-Looking Color

There are cases when a root canal procedure is responsible for changing the color of your teeth. This is one of the situations when you need a dental crown. With a dental crown’s help, a stained or gray appearing tooth can be given a natural whiter look just like the neighboring teeth. Capping after a root canal can promise you a natural smile.

• Prevents Infections

The surface of your tooth becomes more vulnerable to infections and contaminations after a root canal procedure. Additionally, a crown works as a shield and protects the tooth from recontamination to save you from the hassle of tooth removal surgery.

If there’s a delay in wearing a dental crown or any other permanent reinforcement after a root canal procedure, the chances of infection development increase. Consequently, the tooth can be damaged or prone to a newer cavity after the procedure, resulting in a root canal infection.

• Provides a Back-Up Security

Do I really need a crown? A dental crown is highly needed after treatment, where a root canal procedure is conducted on the tooth that once had a dental filling. The filling could have been needed due to chipping, a fracture, or severe decay. Moreover, if the tooth with a root canal is used often, then a dental crown is a must for restoration.

Which Teeth Require A Dental Crown Following a Root Canal?

Patients often wonder if they’ll need a dental crown after a root canal or not. The best way to figure that out is locating the tooth that needs the treatment. If the affected tooth is one of the molars, premolars, or grinding teeth, you’ll definitely need a dental crown. However, root canals on the canines, incisors, or front tooth will not need a dental crown.

To make the affected tooth stronger, it is important to get a tooth crown or other permanent restoration following a root canal treatment.

Root Canals On The Front Teeth

A root canal on any front tooth is often a topic open to discussion. Let’s find out more about getting a root canal on the front teeth and see if it goes with or without a dental crown.

Root canals on the front teeth cause less pain.

It is easier to carry out root canals on a front tooth because it has a thinner pulp. Specifically, this means that the procedure will be less painful. Moreover, due to the sedation, you’ll feel no discomfort.

It takes less time to recover.

Root canals on the front teeth heal quickly as compared to more complex cases.

Root canals on the front teeth without a crown

If you are undergoing a root canal procedure on a front tooth, the process will go without a permanent crown. This is because front teeth receive less pressure as compared to premolars and molars.

For the front teeth, you’ll only need temporary fillings following the treatment. After the tooth heals completely from the root canal, your dentist will place a permanent filling. So, instead of getting a crown or capping for a front tooth, you can opt for veneers.

The opposite goes for teeth that are used for grinding as a crown is needed for permanent restoration instead of a filling.

How long does a root canal take on a front tooth?

Because the procedure is simple, the root canal procedure on a front tooth can be completed in a minimum of 30 minutes and may only take as long as 60 minutes. However, if it’s a complex case, you can expect to be on the dental chair for 90 minutes. Furthermore, it takes about two appointments for a root canal procedure to complete.  

Why do root canals take two visits?

During the first visit, your dentist will eliminate the infected tooth’s tissue; unfortunately, it’s a time-consuming process. After that, an antibacterial medication will be applied to the tooth. Following the initial appointment, you should not feel pain from a toothache that may have been occurring.

During the second visit, more cleaning is done, and the inside of the tooth is permanently sealed. Now, depending on the tooth, a permanent or temporary filling or a dental crown will be placed for restoration after the root canal is complete.

How Long Do A Root Canal And Crown Take?

In the case of a single canal, the procedure can go from 30 to 60 minutes. For a little more complex root canal procedure, the estimated time can be about 90 minutes.

Molars

Molars are back teeth and require around four canals, making them the most difficult root canal cases. It takes about an hour to eliminate the damaged roots, disinfect them, and place the filling. You can expect a molar root canal to take around 90 minutes.

Premolars

A root canal procedure for a premolar may need 60 minutes or a little more to complete; ultimately, the time depends on the anatomy of your tooth.

Canine and incisors

These teeth have a single root, which accelerates the process of root canals and fillings. For these teeth, a root canal for the front teeth can take around 45 to 60 minutes.

How long does it take to put a crown on? 

After a root canal treatment, if your tooth requires a crown, you will have to spend more time at the dentist, and the whole process will take about an hour. Most of the time, you may have to revisit the dentist to get the crown. This is important to ensure the tooth has completely recovered before placing the crown.

How long does a root canal last? 

If you only go with a root canal treatment, you can expect it to last for 10-15 years. If you want your root canal to last for a longer time, there are several ways to make that possible. For example, getting a dental crown is one of the effective ways you can strengthen your tooth and make it durable, increasing the life span of your root canal treatment.

How long do crowns last after the root canal treatment?

Regardless of how you maintain your mouth and lifestyle, a dental crown should remain in good health for about 5 years. Brushing your teeth daily and flossing from time to time can make your crown last for around twelve years.

If you are looking for a dentist near you to get a root canal treatment, or you previously had a root canal and want a dental crown, head over to Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics. To schedule an appointment, call us at 888-453-4129.

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