Do you have a tooth with a dental crown that is red or swollen at the gumline? Are you experiencing pain or sensitivity that doesn’t go away with over-the-counter medication? If so, you may have an infection underneath your dental crown, but you might wonder if your dentist can perform a root canal on that tooth. Keep reading to learn more about this possibility.
Performing a Root Canal on a Crowned Tooth
Root canal therapy involves removing damaged or decayed tooth pulp. To remove the infection, your dentist must make a hole in your tooth to expose it before cleaning and disinfecting the area.
Typically, a dental crown is placed on top of the compromised tooth to strengthen and protect it, but what if your tooth already has a dental crown?
Here’s the procedure your dentist will follow:
- First, they will determine whether they can perform the root canal through the crown or if it would be best to remove it first.
- Once they have removed the infection, they will either cover your tooth with a new crown or repair the existing crown to protect your natural tooth.
If your natural tooth is too damaged or decayed to support the dental crown, they may consider extracting it.
What Causes This to Happen?
Even though dental crowns are effective and durable, it’s still possible for your tooth to become infected in one of these ways:
- Trapped bacteria — If bacteria get trapped under your dental crown, you can develop an infection that requires a root canal.
- Decay after a root canal — If too much time passes between a root canal and crown placement, your tooth could become infected again.
- Poor dental hygiene — If plaque builds up around your gumline, it can cause gum recession and lead to an infection under your crown.
- Damaged or worn crown — If your crown breaks or cracks over time, you may develop an infection.
Need Root Canal Therapy in Havertown, PA?
When you need same-day dental care in Havertown, PA, Dr. Dai and his dental team will happily assist you! We provide emergency dental care to new and existing patients, so don’t hesitate to call us when the unexpected happens. We also offer dentures in Havertown, PA, if you need tooth replacement options. Contact our dental office Havertown PA, at (610) 789-2904.