Do I need a crown after a root canal?
The short answer
For back teeth, almost always. They do the heavy chewing, and a tooth that's had a root canal is more likely to crack, so the crown acts like a helmet. Front teeth often get one too, but one with plenty of healthy tooth left may do fine with just a filling.
Why it matters
After a root canal, the tooth has lost some of its inner structure. A crown covers and protects it.
Rebuilding the tooth first
If a lot of the tooth is broken down, there may not be enough left to hold a crown. Your dentist may first place a post and core: a small post goes into the treated root to anchor a rebuilt base, and the crown fits over it. It usually shows up as its own line on your treatment plan and bill (codes D2952 or D2954). A tooth with more of its structure left may need only a buildup (D2950), or nothing extra.
Don't wait too long
Until the crown is on, the tooth is protected only by a temporary filling. Temporaries can wear down or leak, and an unprotected tooth can crack, sometimes beyond repair. Ask how soon the crown should go on, and go easy chewing on that tooth until then.
Will insurance pay for it?
Once a root canal is done, a crown on that tooth nearly always meets plans' criteria. The usual limits still apply, such as your annual maximum, waiting periods, and frequency limits if the tooth already had a crown recently. A predetermination can confirm what your plan will pay.
Questions to ask
- How much healthy tooth is left?
- Will I need a post or buildup before the crown?
- How soon should the crown go on?
- Would a large filling be reasonable for this tooth?
- Before we schedule, can I get my cost in writing? (A predetermination if I'm using insurance, or a good faith estimate if I'm paying myself.)
When a second opinion makes sense
Reasonable if a crown is recommended on a front tooth with little damage.