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28Jan

Post Crown

by admin

What is a Post Crown?

A post crown is a combination of a post (that extends down into the root canal of your tooth) and a dental crown.There is actually a third element called the ‘core’. So sometimes, you will hear it referred to as a post and core, and crown- as generally this is how the components are split up when the dentist makes up your bill.A post crown always requires a root canal to have been completed before it can be carried out. That’s because the post extends deep down into the root canal of the tooth in order to get extra grip for the core.This is unlike a pin, which simply screws a couple of millimetres into the dentine of the tooth to help hold a filling.

When Would I Need a Post and Core?

There are two main circumstances in which posts are used:

  • \If you have had a root canal treatment and the remaining tooth is weak, a post will help to re-inforce this structure providing a more solid core for your crown. This is the most common use and avoids the situation that I described above; the crown breaking off with the core inside.
  • If a tooth has fractured off at the gum level, so there is nothing but a root stub remaining. By sticking a post into the root canal, we can get extra grip to help hold the core for a crown. This is commonly seen and successfully carried out with anterior (front) teeth as they don’t take the same pressures as your back teeth during chewing.

What is the Procedure for a Post and Core?

They all follow a similar procedure, in which special drills are used to prepare a space down the widest canal in the tooth, if there is more than one canal. The dentist will take an X-ray to see how far down the post is and to check the post is in-line with the canal. Once satisfied, the post will be stuck in place and the filling material built up around it- if it is of the prefabricated type (usually composite). The dentist may decide that a custom- made post and core is best; it may just be their preference or because of a very wide or awkward shaped canal. This is an indirect method and involves taking an impression of the canal space using an impression post with impression material over the top and sending it off to the lab.The lab will then construct your custom-post, meaning it is custom- made for your particular canal.

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