When can I get a permanent crown placement after RCT?

Question

Hi doctor,

I had a cracked temporary crown in the tooth. I had some decay in the same tooth. I do not have pain in the tooth. But I had a sensitivity. My dentist examined the tooth and said that the decay had extended to the nerve area.

My dentist did a root canal on the tooth. Now, I am fine with a temporary crown placed. Can I get a permanent crown now?

Please advise.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Crown failures often indicate a caries progression below the tooth. The supporting tooth substance, which is infected by caries, can no longer resist the forces of mastication, and they tend to crack, break, and fail.

The tooth decay must be removed entirely to protect the tooth. You had tooth sensitivity due to the affected nerve present in the infected tooth. In the root canal treatment, the infected nerve is removed, and it is filled with gutta-percha.

After that, a filling is placed to protect the tooth. Now you can go for a permanent crown. As long as the root canal treatment is fine and the tooth substance is adequate, you can proceed with a permanent crown.

Please send the X-ray of the root canal-treated tooth to guide you further. I would like to see whether the root canal-treated tooth is fine and to see whether the remaining tooth substance is sufficient to support a permanent crown.

Brush your teeth twice daily and take good care of your crowns and bridges by using interdental brushes.

I hope you find this information helpful.

Thank you.