People develop fears of different doctors and procedures, a condition known as iatrophobia, with specific kinds of it affecting 19% of children and 12% of adults. Dental anxiety, or dentophobia, often happens due to fears of needles, past painful experiences, embarrassment, or loss of control. Root canals frequently fit this description for patients.
This standard dental treatment occurs when one or more teeth become infected or decayed, and it’s vital to help preserve the teeth for the long term. Regardless of the dental problem that causes you to get a root canal, under what conditions do you need a dental crown after it’s finished? Examining the treatment itself and the reasons to get it will help shed light on this question.
Dr. Adam Nusblatt and his experienced staff at Nusblatt Dental assist residents of the East Village, Manhattan, New York, with root canals and a range of other dental issues to promote a community with healthy mouths.
This treatment begins with the application of an anesthetic to the area around the tooth to be treated, followed by placing a dental dam to keep the tooth clean during the procedure. Next, after the tooth and surrounding area numbs, we drill a small hole to access the diseased area and remove its material using tiny instruments.
Afterward, we clean, fill, and seal it with gutta percha, a rubberlike material, and adhesive cement.
Removing the diseased matter saves the tooth, but makes it weaker in the process. To manage the issue, we fill the tooth, which may occur in one or several appointments, depending on the kind of root canal you receive (such as multiple canals, curved canals, or large infections).
Root canals treat the root of the tooth, located underneath the enamel shell and the soft dentin layer just beneath it. Infection or disease in the teeth causes pulpitis, which results from:
Often, you’ll experience swelling, heat sensitivity, and pain in the damaged tooth. When you come in, we use medical imaging to determine if a root canal is the best way to manage these symptoms.
The decision to get a crown depends on the type of work required on the tooth. If the tooth itself is still intact and the damage can be managed with a root canal, then a filling to strengthen the tooth can last 11 years or longer. If cracks or breaks occur, and portions of the tooth can’t be saved, a partial or complete crown may be necessary.
Getting a filling and a crown soon after a root canal can protect the tooth for as many as 20 years. If the filled tooth becomes brittle and cracks or breaks years after the root canal, a crown can be placed on top of it.
Crowns aren’t necessary after a root canal if you still have the whole outer shell of your tooth, but the shell can weaken over the years, making one necessary. However, to determine whether you require a root canal with a crown or not, you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Nusblatt and the Nusblatt Dental team today.
