A tooth might break due to trauma, severe decay, cracks, or both. Continue reading to determine if you need a root canal in the restoration process. A fractured tooth has lost some of its structure above the gum line. You should see a dentist as soon as possible after the incident for an examination of the tooth. A dental crown is frequently necessary to provide support for the tooth.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
A root canal is a dental procedure to restore a damaged tooth. First, the dentist removes decaying tissues and nerves from the infected pulp. Then, to avoid additional deterioration, the dentist cleans and disinfects the teeth. The dentist may also need to place a dental crown on the tooth.
How Does a Dental Crown Work?
Dental crowns are oral prosthetics, often known as caps, used to repair an injured tooth. Dental crowns can treat a variety of dental conditions, including:
- Weakened teeth
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Discolored teeth
- To support dental bridges
When Is a Root Canal Required Before a Crown on A Cracked Tooth?
A dental crown’s primary job is to sustain a tooth’s structure by serving as its new outer covering. Before they cement a crown, your endodontist will want to ensure that the natural tooth underneath the crown is as healthy as possible. If there is an injury or infection in the nerve pulp of a tooth, a root canal can give a healthy tooth underneath.
A root canal will be necessary to prevent further trouble, including extraction if the crack is deep enough to injure the root pulp. Determining whether you need a root canal before having a crown on your damaged tooth based only on symptoms might be challenging. Some fractured teeth require a root canal before the height; others do not. Some teeth with significant fractures may not have root/nerve damage, while some teeth with much smaller breaks may have infected nerve pulp that a root canal must remove.
It is critical to consult your endodontist as soon as possible since a root canal or crown cannot treat specific fractured tooth injuries. In addition, the tooth may need to be pulled if its fracture extends below the gum line.
If I Get a Crown, Will I Need a Root Canal?
A dental crown and a root canal are two different treatments. Sometimes, getting a root canal does not mean getting a crown. But occasionally, you might need to have both treatments. A dental crown can sometimes be placed without a root canal. This is because a dental crown may sometimes make a stained or discolored tooth look better. While the dentist may discolor the tooth’s enamel, the inside of the tooth is not affected; therefore, a root canal is not required. Like the last example, you might not need a root canal if your tooth has small chips and cracks that don’t reach the tooth’s pulp. Lastly, a dental crown may occasionally protect a dental implant or support a dental bridge. Again, root canal treatment is not necessary in this situation.
Dental Crown Procedures Without a Root Canal
The following are some examples of when you could require a dental crown without undergoing root canal therapy:
- To enhance the look of a discolored tooth
- To cover a fractured or chipped tooth
- To support a dental bridge
- To cover a dental implant
- To strengthen and stabilize weakened teeth
Root canal therapy can save a fractured tooth and restore its health and function. In addition, removing the pulp will allow for dental restoration with a dental crown, even if there is pulp exposure or significant decay. Contact us at ORIS Dental Clinics immediately for treatment if you live in Richmond Hill, Ontario and have a fractured tooth.
