Porcelain crown after root canal

[Leah]

Hello

I have been told by my own dentist that I will need a crown after my root canal work is finished. I dont understand why a pocelain cap is necessary? Surely the tooth is now dead and will be ok with a normal filling. Should I have this crown done or is it not necessary.

[Dr Mohsen J. Esfahani]

Hi Leah

Root canal treatment involves removal of some tooth tissue which usually makes the tooth more brittle. So in order to protect the tooth from fracture, it is better to crown the tooth.

Also the root canals need to be sealed well and protected from bacterial leakage. A crown provides a great coronal seal and minimizes coronal bacterial leakage.

There is some differences of opinion within the profession as to when a root filled tooth should have a crown. Some advocate placing a crown immediately after root canal treatment is finished in order to provide a good seal. Others prefer to wait ~ 2 months in order to see if the root canal treatment has worked before placing a crown.