Root Canal on Crowned Tooth — What’s the Deal?

We tend to put more pressure on our teeth than they can handle, which results in cracks, fissures, enamel erosion, and more. Moreover, the pulp inside your tooth can get an infection if bacteria sneak in. Neglecting the infection will lead to further discomfort, including constant pain and inflammation. A root canal, however, helps treat the infected pulp and eliminates the discomfort. After removing the infected pulp, the dentist will seal the affected tooth with gutta-percha and dental filling.

Sometimes, if the tooth is too weak, a dental crown is attached on top of it. In some instances, though, a tooth that already has a crown needs a root canal. Usually, the purpose of crowns is to save a tooth that is cracked or needs repair due to damage. Over time, the pulp of the tooth under the crown may become infected. This could be because the tooth crown is not fitted properly, or it has grown old, and you need a replacement. Therefore, problems do still arise after receiving a crown, but your dental specialist can fix the issue.

To answer, you can most definitely have a root canal on a crowned tooth. A dental crown is a protective cap for your tooth, and the endodontist can easily remove it to perform the root canal procedure. Therefore, the procedure is completely safe and will not even hurt since you will be under anesthesia. And after the recovery period is over, your tooth will function like the remaining teeth.

That being said. There are certain situations when the root canal cannot be performed through a dental crown. These include the following:

• Advanced decay or damage
• The crown becomes damaged during the procedure.
• During the procedure, an additional problem with the tooth is discovered, which means it will need to undergo extraction.