Dental Crown After Root Canal Treatment
Getting a crown after a root canal will help you maintain and preserve your tooth as long as possible. Without a crown procedure after root canal treatment, your non-living tooth will be more prone to wear, chipping, or breakage. Getting a crown after a root canal will keep you smiling for years to come!
Step One: Temporary Crown After Root Canal
On the date of your root canal, our Mission Valley dentist will want to cover and protect your treated tooth. A temporary crown after root canal therapy is normal for at least two weeks while your permanent one is being made.
Your temporary crown will be held on with a special bonding agent that will allow the crown to be removed once the permanent one is ready to place. For that reason, it’s best not to chew anything too hard or sticky on that side of your mouth.
Most adult temporary dental crowns will be made of some type of tooth-colored resin material. But on occasion, stainless steel crowns are still used today.
Since we prep your tooth for a crown during your endodontic procedure, you can enjoy fewer appointments and complete comfort. Your tooth will be completely numbed and the nerve tissues removed, so there shouldn’t be any sort of discomfort to plan for.
Step Two: Getting Your Permanent Dental Crown
On the date of your root canal treatment, we’ll go ahead and prep your tooth for fitting it with a permanent crown. After we take the impression and fit you with your temporary crown, we’ll send the models to our lab. We’ll have careful instructions on the exact shape, color, and shade of porcelain to use. That way your permanent crown will look like a natural part of your smile.
About two weeks later, you’ll return to our Mission Valley dentist office to have the temporary crown removed. Then we’ll try the permanent crown in, make sure everything looks just right, and bond it into place with a permanent cement. We’ll double check the way everything fits together and then send you on your way. Plan to avoid chewing on that side of your mouth for the rest of the day.
Step Three: How to Care for Your Tooth
Now that your tooth has both a root canal and a crown, you might feel like it’s invincible. But the truth is, it’s not immune to new infections like cavities or gum disease. You’ll still want to care for it properly every day to keep everything healthy. Otherwise, new infections could cause your restorations to fail and still lead to tooth loss.
Fortunately, home care is simple. Make a plan to floss daily, brush at least twice a day, and plan regular checkups every six months at our Mission Valley office. When flossing around your crown, hug the floss in a “C” shape and rub up and down several times on either side, going all the way down, just below the edges of the gum tissues. Flossing will not pull off your permanent dental crown. If you prefer, you can use a water flosser instead.
Do People Always Need a Crown after Endodontic Therapy?
On occasion, there are limited situations where a crown may not be 100% necessary. Instead, a small filling can be placed at the opening of the nerve chamber. Usually this only pertains to certain smaller teeth. But you may find you still want a crown, especially if the enamel starts to chip away or the tooth turns a darker color over time.
Need a Dental Crown After a Root Canal?
Our dental crowns in Mission Valley are crafted to look and feel amazing. At Cassell Dentistry, we’ll custom design your new crown so that it blends right in with your adjacent teeth. Whether you need a crown after a root canal, to repair a broken tooth, or to top off a dental implant, our Mission Valley dentist can help.