Any dentists? Root canal

[audi321]

Hi all. I had 2 root canals last year and so far all seems to be ok.

However I didn t have crowns on them (just filled) and I was chatting to another dentist (not mine) over the Xmas period and he strongly recommended that they were crowned as the tooth is much more susceptible to cracking once a root canal is done.

If any dentists are on here I d appreciate a second (or third) opinion before I talk to my dentist about it.

[Lotobear]

Not a dentist but I had a root canal filling earlier this year and my dentist mentioned the risk of breakages being more likely going foward and the potential for maybe needing a crown in future if that happened.

This seemed like a sensible caution and I'm happy to see how it goes and avoid the cost of an unecessary crown at this stage - he seemed to suggest the root filling might be good 10 years but of course difficult to predict with any certainty.

[audi321]

Lotobear said:

the risk of breakages being more likely going foward and the potential for maybe needing a crown in future if that happened.

My understanding is that if something did break then it’s toast for that tooth? Ie a crown is too late then.

[AB]

It depends on a number of factors, a crown can help with strength.

Also depends which teeth to a certain extent.

I've not had an RCT crowned and it was done by a well respected specialist. I didn't even ask the question.

[Lotobear]

audi321 said:

Lotobear said:

the risk of breakages being more likely going foward and the potential for maybe needing a crown in future if that happened.

My understanding is that if something did break then it s toast for that tooth? Ie a crown is too late then.

Not the impression I was given by mine but will await with interest input from those who are qualified. Perhaps it would depend on how severe any break is?

[KobayashiMaru86]

Wish mine had been if I'd known. Had two teeth which have cracked after the root canal and filling and needed removing. They removed one, refused to do two at once, then NHS forgot about me so getting the 2nd done privately end of the month.

[croyde]

I must be lucky. Root canals at nearly 20 years ago, and 10 years ago.

Both teeth fine. Neither dentist mentioned crowns.

Touch wood.

[Herbie912]

Also intrigued by dentist's opinion here.

I had a root canal on one tooth in my early 20s. A few years later, that tooth snapped in half whilst on holiday (I was eating a rhubarb and custard sweet, which probably wasn't super sensible).

Found a dentist and they attempted an extraction. They couldn't get a proper grip on the broken tooth and had to give up. I’ve had the lower half of that tooth in place for the last 15 years or so without problem. It is out of sight, so ok but still not ideal.

Have had two root canals in recent years (the tooth ache leading up to a root canal is like nothing else!) ... and they are filled only. One required a root canal specialist, and the specialist did not think a crown was needed. My normal dentist thinks it would be sensible to crown ...

[fourfoldroot]

Anything behind the canines I would advise to be crowned after root filling. I used to give it a year to make sure the root filling was functioning ok before crowning. Front teeth don’t necessarily need crowning after root canal as they don’t experience the tendency to split like back teeth. If the front tooth structure is weakened then they too should be crowned. I always tried to avoid metal posts in front teeth whenever possible, they always split the root eventually, unless you die first!

[Simon_GH]

I’ve had advice at both ends of the spectrum - crown immediately and leave until the corners chip off because a crown is destructive. I’ve come to the conclusion it’s a gamble.

[AB]

fourfoldroot said:

Anything behind the canines I would advise to be crowned after root filling. I used to give it a year to make sure the root filling was functioning ok before crowning. Front teeth don t necessarily need crowning after root canal as they don t experience the tendency to split like back teeth. If the front tooth structure is weakened then they too should be crowned. I always tried to avoid metal posts in front teeth whenever possible, they always split the root eventually, unless you die first!

This sounds like good advice.