Root canal treatment and crowns
A root canal treats the inside of a tooth. A crown restores the outside. They are sometimes planned together and sometimes separately, depending on what the tooth needs.
What it addresses
What root canal treatment and crowns address
Root canal treatment is for a tooth where the pulp, the soft tissue inside the tooth, has become infected or damaged. The aim is to remove the affected tissue, clean the inside of the tooth, and seal it so the tooth can be kept in place.
A crown is a covering that restores the shape and strength of a tooth weakened by damage, a large filling, or root canal treatment. It is made to fit over the remaining tooth.
Root canal treatment
The pulp can become inflamed or infected after deep decay, a fracture, or an injury. Symptoms vary: some people have pain, some have sensitivity, and some notice a change in the colour of the tooth.
Treatment is carried out to remove the affected tissue rather than to leave it in place. The tooth is then sealed, and a restoration or crown is planned where it is needed.
Crowns
A crown covers a tooth that does not have enough sound structure left to hold an ordinary filling. It can also protect a tooth after root canal treatment.
Crowns are made to measure. The tooth is prepared, a record of its shape is taken, and the crown is made so that it fits the tooth and meets the opposing teeth correctly.
Assessment
What assessment involves
An assessment starts with what you have noticed: pain, sensitivity, swelling, a broken tooth, or a change in how a tooth feels when you bite.
The tooth is examined and tested, and imaging may be used to see the shape of the roots and the bone around them. The findings are explained before treatment options are discussed.
- Your symptoms and how long they have been present
- The condition of the tooth, the gum, and the surrounding bone
- How much sound tooth remains and whether the tooth can be restored
- Medical history or medication that affects planning
Options
Options that may be considered
The options depend on the tooth. A tooth that cannot be repaired may need to be removed. Where a tooth can be kept, root canal treatment may be recommended before a restoration or crown is placed.
The choice of restoration depends on how much tooth structure remains, the position of the tooth, and the bite.
Keeping the tooth
Root canal treatment followed by a crown or another restoration. The type of restoration is chosen after the tooth has been assessed and prepared.
Removing the tooth
Extraction may be the appropriate option when a tooth is badly broken or has lost too much support to be restored. Replacement options can be discussed at the same visit.
Crown materials
Crowns are made in different materials, and each has trade-offs in appearance, strength, and the amount of tooth that needs to be prepared. The options discussed depend on the tooth and on what the dental laboratory can provide.
Timing and cost
What affects timing and cost
Root canal treatment can involve more than one visit. The number depends on the tooth, the infection, and how treatment progresses.
A crown is usually made after the tooth has been prepared and a record of its shape has been taken. Laboratory work adds time between appointments.
Costs are discussed after assessment, once the plan is clear. The clinic will explain what a plan includes before treatment begins.
- The tooth involved and how much treatment it needs
- Whether a crown or another restoration is chosen, and the material
- Laboratory work and the number of appointments
- Any additional treatment identified during assessment
Follow-up
Follow-up
After root canal treatment, the tooth and the tissues around it are reviewed. After a crown is fitted, the fit, the bite, and the gum around the edge of the crown are checked.
If something does not feel right after treatment, contact the clinic so that it can be assessed.
- What to expect in the days after treatment
- How to care for the tooth at home
- When to return for review
- What to do if a crown feels high or loose
General information. This page explains a treatment area, not a diagnosis. Suitability and planning are confirmed through an assessment.
Questions
Common questions about root canal treatment and crowns
Will I need a crown after a root canal?
Not always. A crown is often considered when a tooth has lost a lot of structure or needs extra protection. The decision depends on the tooth and is discussed during assessment.
How long does treatment take?
It varies. Some teeth are treated in one visit and others need more than one. The clinic will explain the likely sequence for your tooth after assessment.
Does root canal treatment hurt?
The tooth is treated with local anaesthesia. Some tenderness afterwards is possible, and your clinician will explain what to expect, how to care for the tooth, and when to get in touch if something does not settle.
Can a crowned tooth still decay?
Yes. A crown covers the tooth, but the tooth and the gum around the edge of the crown still need cleaning. Review visits check the crown and the surrounding gum.
What if the tooth cannot be saved?
If a tooth cannot be repaired, extraction and replacement options are discussed. Nothing is decided without your agreement.
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