Why a crowned tooth may need a Root Canal

You’ve gone through all the trouble of getting a tooth crowned, but now your dentist is telling you that this same tooth now needs a root canal. You may think this is a joke because you’ve heard that teeth protected by a crown are shielded from bacteria that cause decay. You may even seek an opinion from a second dentist, but you should know that this situation is not entirely uncommon. 

If you are in the Knoxville, Tennessee area seeking an examination on a crowned tooth that may need a root canal, consider scheduling a visit to Drs. Stephen Malone and Michael Costa, and the team at Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry.

Decay in a crowned tooth

If you have a tooth that has been crowned due to decay or fracturing that is now causing you pain, it is important to get it looked at quickly because you may need a root canal. If a crowned tooth has become decayed enough to require a root canal, your dentist will be able to choose from a couple of options on how to best approach the situation.

Your dentist could choose to remove the crown prior to drilling, but sometimes this is not possible. Alternatively, they may drill the access hole directly through the crown without removing it first. In this case, a new crown will need to be manufactured to replace the one that has been drilled through.

Why decay can still occur in a crowned tooth

The primary reason a crowned tooth may experience decay is due to a lack of proper oral hygiene. In this situation, plaque and bacteria can accumulate under the crown, causing a spread of decay underneath it. When decay becomes significant, the crown can no longer protect the tooth, and, eventually, a root canal may be required.

If you find yourself in a situation where a crowned tooth is causing you pain, it’s important to get it checked out as soon as possible. If you are in the Knoxville, TN area, please call Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry at (865) 426-1776.

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