As a young mother, I was reasonably ignorant when raising my firstborn. My biggest regret is that I didn't help her take better care of her teeth. Like many people, I didn't realise the importance of baby teeth, resulting in long-term dental problems. Recently, my daughter got married and some of my tears were for the beautiful, glistening smile she presented to the cameras. Ever since I realised the dental damage I had caused, I had been saving for my daughter to have cosmetic dentistry. The results are remarkable. During the course of this journey, I have learnt a lot about caring for children's teeth and corrective procedures that can be undertaken when issues arise. I am sure many of you would be interested in the latest knowledge and techniques that are available to prevent and repair dental complications. I'm Margret Devlin - thanks for visiting.
When you need a root canal, it might be the first time that the tooth has ever needed your dentist to intervene. Of course, this can easily not be the case. The tooth's inflamed dental pulp (which will be removed during the root canal) might not be the first major problem the tooth has encountered. It may have needed a dental restoration in the past, with some of the tooth's structure now reinforced by this restoration. So what happens when you need a root canal on a tooth that has been covered with a dental crown?
Two Outcomes
There are only two possible outcomes. Either your dentist can perform a root canal with your dental crown in place or they can't. The process requires your dentist to make an access cavity in the tooth through to the pulp chamber. This access cavity can often be made through an existing dental crown. Yes, the crown now has a hole in it, but this can be repaired—essentially by your dentist filling the hole in the crown much like any dental cavity. This is the best outcome for the patient, but it's not always possible.
Possible Complications
If the crown has been in place for many years, it may not be as secure as it once was. Drilling into the crown may further destabilise its connection to the underlying tooth. Removal prior to a root canal can prove to be necessary. The same is true when diagnostic testing (such as an x-ray) reveals that the tooth has experienced further decay beneath the crown. In such a case, the crown will need to be removed for the root canal, and additional restorations to the tooth's structure can be mandatory in order to rebuild the tooth after its inflamed pulp has been extracted.
Unforeseen Circumstances
Even when your dentist believes that the crown can be left in place for the procedure, the outcome may not be as predictable as hoped. If the crown will be irreparably damaged during the procedure, it must be removed and replaced. This happens when making an access cavity in the crown's surface inadvertently removes too much of the crown's surface, meaning any subsequent fillings won't offer the necessary structural strength that the crown needs to function.
Beyond the presence of the dental crown, the root canal procedure remains the same. You'll receive a temporary filling after your inflamed dental pulp has been removed and the pulp chamber has been filled. Once it's evident that the root canal was successful, your tooth and its dental crown will receive a permanent filling—and your root canal procedure has come to an end.
Keep these tips in mind when looking for a root canal service near you.
Share25 February 2022
