After root canal treatment, some teeth have lost so much structure due to decay or fracture that there is not enough left to hold a crown. A post and core can rebuild the tooth and provide support for the crown.
A post is a small rod placed into the root canal space. A core is a build-up of material around the post that forms the foundation for the crown.
Posts are used when there is insufficient tooth structure to retain a crown. Not every root-canal-treated tooth needs a post.
Fibre posts are tooth-coloured and flexible, making them popular. Metal posts are strong but less aesthetic. Your dentist will choose based on the tooth and situation.
Preparing space for a post removes some tooth structure and can weaken the root. Posts are used only when necessary.
After root canal treatment, part of the filling material is removed to create space for the post. The post is bonded or cemented, and the core is built up.
A crown is placed over the core to protect the tooth.
Good oral hygiene and regular check-ups help protect the tooth.
After root canal treatment, a tooth no longer has a living nerve, and it may have lost a significant amount of structure to decay, old fillings and the access opening made during treatment. This can make the tooth more brittle and prone to fracture, especially back teeth that take heavy chewing forces. Rebuilding the tooth with a core, with or without a post, and protecting it with a crown or onlay spreads biting forces and greatly improves its long-term prognosis.
Modern adhesive dentistry has reduced the need for posts. In many cases, the remaining tooth structure can be bonded to a composite core without a post, or an onlay can be bonded directly onto the tooth. These approaches preserve more of the root. Your dentist will only recommend a post when the remaining tooth structure is not enough to retain a core and crown securely.
Contact your dentist if a crowned root-canal-treated tooth becomes loose, sore to bite on, develops swelling of the gum, or if the crown comes off. These signs can indicate a loose post, a fracture or recurrent infection. Early assessment gives the best chance of repairing the tooth. Regular check-ups with periodic X-rays help detect problems before symptoms appear.
Ask whether a post is truly needed, what type of post will be used and why, and how the tooth will be protected afterwards. It is also worth asking about the long-term outlook for the tooth and what the alternatives would be if the root were to fracture in the future, so you can plan with confidence.
No. Posts are only needed when there is not enough tooth structure.
No. The tooth has been treated and is numb during the procedure.
It is uncommon, but posts or roots can fracture under heavy force.
Ask whether your tooth needs a post and core. Learn more about root canal treatment in Al Ain.
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