Clinical review: Dr. Samreen Ejaz, BDS, RDS ·
What each part does
The post sits inside a treated root and helps hold the core in place. The core rebuilds the missing top part of the tooth. The crown goes over everything as a cap. A post doesn’t make a root stronger, and plenty of root-treated teeth don’t need one. We only use it when there isn’t enough tooth left to hold the core.
Can your tooth take it?
Dr. Samreen checks the root filling, how much sound tooth remains, where the gum sits, how you bite, and whether there are any cracks. There has to be enough healthy tooth for the crown to grip. Sometimes crown lengthening helps, and sometimes the honest answer is that the tooth can’t be saved. We’ll tell you before any lab work starts.
PFM or zirconia?
PFM means porcelain fused to metal, a metal inner layer covered in porcelain. Zirconia is a tooth-coloured ceramic. Which suits you depends on the space available, your bite, the look you want and how the tooth is shaped. Either can chip or come loose, and either may need replacing one day. Check which crown is included in your estimate.
Step by step
Any root canal treatment comes first, or a check that the existing one is healthy. If you need a post, it goes in next and the core is built on top. Then we shape the tooth, take an impression or scan, and fit a temporary crown if needed. At the last visit we fit the crown and check the edges, the contact with neighbouring teeth and your bite.
Looking after your crown
Clean around the gumline of the crown every day, as that’s where decay tends to start. Don’t use the tooth to crack nuts or open bottles. Let us know if the crown feels loose or your bite changes. The crown protects what’s underneath, but the natural tooth below it can still decay.
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
Questions about root canal treatment with post, core and crown
Why does a root-treated tooth need a crown?
Once the inside is cleaned out and a large part of the tooth is filling, a back tooth is more likely to crack when you chew. A crown holds it together. Not every tooth needs one. It depends on how much is left.
Can I ask for a post even if I don’t need one?
We don’t recommend it. A post means removing more from inside the root, so we only use one when the core needs holding in place.
Is zirconia better than PFM?
Not always. Each has its pros and cons, and the right one depends on your tooth and bite. We’ll explain why we suggest one over the other.
This is general information. What’s right for your tooth depends on what Dr. Samreen finds when she examines it.
Background reading: AAE: root canal treatment explained. These are overseas sources, so their prices and rules don’t apply here.