Root Canals

Root canal before crown

09/14/2008 01:05PM

Question:

Is it always necessary to have a root canal done before a crown is put on? What happens if you have a crown put on and then you need to have a root canal? Does that mean you need to pay for a whole new crown?

Answer:

It is not always necessary to have a root canal done before a crown is placed. Whether a root canal is necessary is dependent on many factors. Many times if it is questionable whether a root canal is necessary, patients will choose to have it done before they have a crown placed. However, a root canal can be done through the crown at a later date. The crown usually does not have to be redone, but the root canal treatment always carries the risk of crown damage and/or other complications necessitating the repair or replacement of the crown.

All of these issues are situation-specific and your endodontist can give you information relative to your particular situation.

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Response by:

Melissa McCartney Drum, DDS, MS
Assistant Professor
Section of Endodontics
College of Dentistry
The Ohio State University