After root canal treatment is complete, the affected tooth will need to be restored. Your tooth is opened during endodontic treatment in order to access its canals. This leaves it weakened and susceptible to infection, but a restoration seals the tooth to prevent contamination and strengthens its overall structure. Crowns are a common option for tooth restoration after root canal treatment, but they aren’t the only solution available. Here’s how your dentist decides which type of restoration is the right choice for your needs.
Different Teeth Require Different Restorations
Even before assessing your individual needs, we already know that different types of teeth have different requirements when it comes to restorations after a root canal. Because molars and premolars are used extensively for chewing and grinding food, they are likely to need a crown. This is particularly true in patients who have a history of grinding ,as they have a higher risk of tooth fracture.
Incisors and canines typically only need a dental filling to restore them after endodontic treatment. By using conservative access openings, we can retain most of the healthy tooth structure in these teeth.
Strengthening a Compromised Tooth
Another factor taken into consideration is whether the tooth in question has previous restorations or damage. If a root canal is needed due to a fracture, it’s more likely that a crown will be needed; the tooth is already compromised even before endodontic treatment. Teeth that have previous fillings may also be more likely to require a crown in order to restore strength after root canal treatment, although this is not always the case—every decision is made on a case-by-case basis.
Finding the Right Solution for You
Determining which type of restoration is needed after endodontic treatment is a decision made in collaboration with your dentist, as they will perform your restorative treatment. Ultimately, the decision is made by carefully balancing the factors listed above and analyzing the risks and benefits of each option in your unique circumstances. While we want to provide a conservative restoration, we also must ensure that your restoration will be strong and durable.
Learn More About Root Canal Treatment
If you have questions about endodontic treatment or restorations, our team is happy to help. Contact us today at one of our six North Shore and Boston-area locations to learn more or schedule a consultation with an endodontist.
Endodontists specialize in the diagnosis of dental pain. Severe dental pain can disrupt patients’ lives, making it difficult to eat, sleep, speak, and go about their normal activities. With care from a skilled endodontist, you will be able to get back to your routine quickly.
Dental Pain Symptoms
Dental pain often develops suddenly, with symptoms varying from mild to severe. At times, the pain may even be debilitating. Some of the most common symptoms of dental pain include:
- Dull, achy pain
- Sharp, jabbing pain
- Pain when biting
- Pain with hot or cold stimulus
- Throbbing pain
- Jaw pain
Symptoms can be intermittent or constant; some patients only experience pain when eating, while for others, the pain is lingering. You may experience some level of relief with over-the-counter pain relievers, but once they wear off, the pain returns.
How Endodontists Diagnose Dental Pain
While a general or family dentist may be able to diagnose dental pain as well, only endodontists have advanced dental technology that helps them quickly identify the cause of your discomfort and recommend a treatment to alleviate your pain and save your natural tooth.
During your appointment, one of our endodontists will go over your risk factors and examine your teeth. If needed, we use clinical microscopic examination, 3D imaging, and CBCT scans to determine the origin of your pain. In most cases, teeth can be saved with endodontic therapy. We will collaborate with your dentist to recommend the best course of treatment.
Causes of Dental Pain
Some of the most common causes of dental pain include:
Tooth Decay
When tooth decay spreads inward from the enamel and reaches the pulp of a tooth, it can cause severe pain, sensitivity, and necrosis of the nerve if left untreated.
Inflammation of the Pulp
Also known as pulpitis, inflammation of the pulp can cause sensitivity to temperature, pain when biting, a dull ache in the jaw, and referred pain in the ear, head, or temple. Root canal treatment will alleviate this pain.
Cracks and Fractures
Cracks and fractures can occur as a result of wear and tear, dental trauma, or biting down on a hard object. Sometimes this type of dental injury is immediately identifiable, as it can be seen or felt, but other times, a hairline crack is only visible upon microscopic examination. Cracks and fractures can cause dull pain, sensitivity, or sharp pain when biting in a certain way.
Dental Abscess
When bacteria builds up inside the pulp area of the tooth, it can cause a dental abscess. Signs of an abscess include pain when biting, swelling, persistent bad breath, extreme sensitivity to temperature, and a small bump on the gums near the tooth. Dental abscesses require urgent attention.
Schedule an Appointment for Dental Pain
If you’re experiencing dental pain, it’s important to see your dentist or endodontist as soon as possible. The earlier your symptoms are diagnosed and treated, the better your outcome is likely to be. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at one of our six North Shore or Boston-area locations.