There are few things more painful and disruptive than a toothache. If you’re in need of a root canal, you probably know just how unbearable tooth pain and sensitivity can be. But once the root canal is complete, are you in the clear?
At Gulf Coast Dental, we’ve helped countless patients restore their teeth to health through our professional dental services. However, what most of our patients don’t realize is that a dental crown is essential to protecting your tooth after a root canal is complete.
What Is A Root Canal?
Before you can get a crown on your infected tooth, you’ll need to complete the root canal procedure. Your dentist will recommend a root canal if the pulp inside your tooth has become infected. Although this pulp is important during the development of your tooth’s root, it can be safely removed if it becomes infected in your adult years.
Signs that you’ll need a root canal include:
- Teeth that are sensitive to hot and cold
- Pimples on the gums
- Pain when biting and chewing
- Swollen gums
- Decaying and darkening gums
A root canal is similar to other dental procedures. Your dentist will take some X-rays before numbing your mouth and carefully drilling into your tooth to remove the infected pulp.
Why Do I Need A Dental Crown?
Scheduling another dental procedure right after a root canal may feel unnecessary and bothersome. However, getting a tooth crown is an important way to protect your tooth from future damage. Here are some of the benefits of getting a dental crown after a root canal.
Strengthen Your Tooth
After a root canal, your tooth may be in a weakened state. A crown provides a layer of protective enamel for your tooth. This can help prevent future cracks, chips and infections.
Visual Appearance
Your tooth may darken due to the infected pulp. Although a root canal will remove the infection, a crown can improve the visual appearance of your tooth. If you want to rock some pearly whites, a crown can help whiten your smile.
Improve Sensitivity
Root canals may leave your teeth sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. Although this isn’t a cause for concern in terms of tooth health, it can cause discomfort. A crown can help protect the tooth from sensitivity and improve your quality of life.
Increases Tooth Lifespan
Neglecting to place a crown on your weakened tooth could lead to the death of your tooth down the road. If you want to increase the lifespan of your tooth, a crown can help. However, it’s important to remember that a crown should be replaced every decade to ensure effective protection.
When Should I Get A Crown After A Root Canal?
There isn’t a specific timeline for when you should get a crown following a root canal. However, we recommend scheduling a crown within 30 days of the root canal. If you wait longer than a month, your tooth has a greater chance of becoming infected or damaged.
You’ll want to wait for the swelling from your root canal to go down before getting a crown. This will ensure your tooth doesn’t experience any pain during the crown procedure.
Schedule Your Gulf Coast Root Canal Today!
Tooth pain is unpleasant and you shouldn’t have to live with it any longer. If you think you need a root canal, Gulf Coast Dental is here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
