Getting a crown doesn't always require a root canal and vice versa. However, in some instances, you might require both treatments. If your tooth is beyond repair, your dentist might recommend extracting it. Later, you can use dental implants, bridges, or dentures to replace the lost teeth.
The dentist will determine the need for a root canal through one or several of the following methods: x-rays, the cavity test, selective anesthesia (to identify where the source of pain is when the patient doesn't know), thermal and electric testing, or by tapping on the problem tooth.
In short, when you need a root canal, it may feel like throbbing pain due to infection inside of the root of your tooth. A visible fistula, swelling, or temperature sensitivity might be present.
When your teeth become cracked, the crown becomes unstable due to the broken foundation. This is one reason why your crown may hurt. If you have recently undergone a crown replacement and it hurts for up to a week after treatment, your crown may have been placed incorrectly or has not bonded properly to your tooth.
How is a root canal performed on a tooth with a crown? At Knight Dental Care, Dr. Knight can either remove the crown before drilling into the tooth to create an access hole or drill this access hole through the crown. If this happens, then the crown will need to be replaced as it will be weakened.
Sometimes a dentist will find conditions in your teeth that require a root canal: Issues identified by X-ray – X-rays show infection as dark spots located at the tip of the roots of the tooth. Gum pimples – pimple-like gum lesions are often caused by infected teeth.
Root canal treatment removes infected pulp. When the dark area on your x-ray isn't near the pulp, you don't need root canal treatment. On an x-ray, it might seem that the dark area is between the filling and tooth pulp.
When you get an x-ray, this will give definitive proof that you need to get a root canal. The x-ray gives the dentist a clear view of any infection in the tooth especially one at the root of the tooth.
Replacement options
In some situations the original crown can be removed and re-cemented into place. New crowns might be required to meet your objectives for a healthy and beautiful smile. This new crowns are fabricated in the same way the as the original.
Pain around the tooth with a crown may indicate the presence of more decay or an infection. The tooth structure underneath could be experiencing excessive decay in the form of a cavity or the rot and infection may have started to spread to the pulp and nerves.
Teeth that receive a root canal and then a filling and crown last about 20 years. Teeth that receive either a filling or a crown after a root canal last about 11 years. Teeth that receive no restorative work after a root canal last about 6.5 years.
The root canal will prevent further infection and canals also fortify the tooth. You might still need a root canal even if you do not feel any pain because not all infection results in pain.
You must undergo a root canal within a few weeks to fully eliminate the infection and save your tooth.
When you lay down horizontally all the blood flows towards your head and face and therefore can cause pressure on the sensitive areas where your toothache is. This can cause that throbbing sensation that a toothache might give.
In many cases, a toothache is caused by a cavity that can be treated without the need for a root canal. However, we find that intense pain can often be due to an infection severe enough to warrant a root canal.
If the deepest layers of the pulp become infected, it may be too late to save the tooth. In addition, if a large portion of the tooth is lost and a crown cannot be placed on what's left, root canal treatment is no longer a viable solution.
Root canal treatment is needed when dental X-rays show that the pulp has been damaged by a bacterial infection. The pulp may become inflamed if it's infected by bacteria, allowing the bacteria to multiply and spread. The symptoms of a pulp infection include: pain when eating or drinking hot or cold food and drink.
Consuming Certain Foods and Drinks
Other teeth-staining foods include coffee, citrus fruits and juices, soft drinks, teas, berries, tomato-based sauces, curry, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce. Ingredients in these foods can seep into your enamel (the outermost covering of your teeth) and cause discoloration.
Brown and Grey Spots in the Affected Area
Brown and grey spot formations are a distinct visual indicator of a potential infection or tooth decay under a dental crown. Spots can be visible on the white portion of a veneer, almost appearing like mould.
A cavity under a crown can be difficult to treat, and may require a root canal. Your dentist will likely recommend removing the infected tissue from your tooth if the cavity has become infected. After a root canal, you will need to have another crown placed on your tooth.
The gum tissue may still be irritated
If you're experiencing discomfort in the first few days after a new crown is placed, it may simply be a result of normal gum irritation, tenderness, and sensitivity. Try taking over-the-counter pain medications containing ibuprofen as directed to address any pain and discomfort.
If your crowned tooth is in constant throbbing pain that affects your ability to eat or speak, stop what you are doing right now and make an appointment! A simple x-ray can tell us if your tooth has become infected and we can perform root canal therapy to save the tooth.
Sensitivity or discomfort
If a person notices pain or sensitivity when biting down, it could mean that the dental crown is too high. If this happens, a patient should contact the dentist. A dentist can easily fix this problem.