Restore your smile after root canal therapy with crown treatment in our office

Our teeth may be the best part of our smile, but they are meant for so much more than aesthetics. Our teeth are, in fact, the primary factor in digestion, kicking off the entire process by breaking food down into small particles. Teeth are also a vital part of our overall facial esthetic, keeping cheeks and lips from sinking inward. Without the correct number of teeth, appearance, oral health, and even speech can be impacted. One of the ways we help our patients avoid tooth loss or extraction is with root canal therapy and the placement of a quality dental crown.

Root canal treatment is performed on teeth that have sustained damage due to injury or extensive decay. In the past, the only way to handle infection in the pulp chamber of a tooth was extraction. Now, root canal therapy provides a way for your dentist to save a damaged tooth by removing damaged, infected material. After the root canal has been cleansed and sealed with endodontic material, a dental crown will typically be recommended by your Bloomington, Illinois, dentist.

It may seem an unnecessary step to place a cover over the entire tooth surface when the original problem occurred deep inside the tooth. A look at the function of dental pulp will help you understand why a crown may be necessary after root canal treatment. Pulp is composed of various different tissues, including blood vessels and nerves. Although the pulp is considered non-essential in adult teeth, the fact is that these tissues do serve a purpose.

Nerves within dental pulp give us the sensation of hot and cold. When the nerve is removed in root canal treatment, these sensations are lost. Even more importantly, the blood supply and nutrients that come through dental pulp are present only in tiny amounts after a root canal. With a lack of essential fluids, the treated tooth may become brittle, which means a fracture can occur more easily.

Crowning a tooth after root canal therapy makes sense due to the general purpose of dental crowns. These tooth covers are made to fit over the remaining tooth structure and are bonded into place where they will remain stable for years. Covering the tooth structure, a crown provides protection against potential fractures. Crowns are especially beneficial for back teeth, which are impacted the most by chewing force.

Your dentist has the skill and the experience to help you achieve your smile and oral health goals with a beautiful crown. Contact Eastland Dental Center for your appointment with Drs. Mike and Marisa Milligan.