Root canal therapy is an endodontic treatment which is recommended for teeth that are severely damaged. The common conditions which warrant the procedure include irreversible pulpitis, inflammatory resorption, chronic periodontitis and even abscess. It will also be prescribed when the tissues in the teeth are necrotic or the clinical dental crown is severely broken.

During the root canal procedure, an opening is made in the tooth to allow access to the pulp cavity. This facilitates the removal of infected, dead or inflamed tissues to restore the health of the dental structure. If you receive this type of treatment, you will require additional care to prevent recontamination and to promote healing. Here are the main auxiliary procedures carried after the tissue removal.

Access Filling

The access filling procedure is typically carried out after every root canal treatment session. It is aimed at sealing the hole created to create access into the infected pulp cavity in the tooth. There are different types of fillings available and the choice will depend on factors such as preference, financial situation and the endodontist's recommendation. Silver amalgam and composite are popular choices but you can select alternatives like porcelain and gold.

Post & Core Build-up

If your damaged tooth was severely broken or extensively decayed, access fillings will not be sufficient in restoring the structure. The tooth will need to be rebuilt and even reinforced to reinstate functionality and aesthetics via post and core build-up. Basically, a dental structural post will be inserted into the tooth's root canal. These posts are typically prefabricated from materials such as titanium, fibreglass and even stainless steel. The core and structure of the tooth is then built up with access filling to prepare the base for a crown.

Crown Placement

A dental crown or an onlay is recommended when root canal therapy is performed on molars and premolars. These teeth are required for heavy chewing so they are heavily stressed on daily basis. If the treated tooth is left bare, the opposing dental arch may injure it. The structural posts and fillings can often maintain the dental structure but it is important to prepare for the expense. Consult your dentist on the possible risks of choosing to avoid crown placement after the procedure.

Crown Lengthening

The crown lengthening procedure is necessary when the tooth is decayed or even broken below the general gum level. The gums are surgically repositioned and the supporting bone is re-contoured to expose more tooth structure. This makes the process of crown placement easier and more effective.

Learn more about these procedures and which is most ideal for you by consulting resources like Inner West Endodontics.