What Happens to a Tooth After a Root Canal?

[Zara1]

Hello

I had my top front tooth root canal filled one month ago and since then the tooth has been causing me no problems at all. My dentist told me that tooth might need a crown in future but said that we will have to see what happens with the tooth. I am worried that if I dont crown the tooth, it might break and cause more serious problems. Am I right that to think that the tooth should now be crowned? I guess I would like to know what happens to a tooth after a root canal?

[Dr Mohsen J. Esfahani]

Thank you for your question.

Some dentists crown a tooth immediately after they root fill it in order to provide the best oral seal for the tooth. However I usually wait 1-2 months to see if a root canal has been successful before I place a crown on a tooth. Many dentists also wait a while post root canal before they place a crown.

However when a root canal is proved to be successful, waiting too long may mean that the tooth fractures and patients have to be careful when chewing on a root filled tooth that has not been crowned.

The other problem with root canal treatment is that a root filled tooth can discolour and this discolouration can be distressing for the patient if its on a front tooth. This is a further reason, why a root filled tooth should be crownded.

That said, I have seen root filled teeth without crowns that have not discoloured or fractured. I guess its upto you if you wish to take the risk.