How Treating a Tooth is like Building a House

Healthy Foundation Makes a Strong House

The goal of root canal therapy is to prevent and eliminate infection at the apex (tip) of the root
of the tooth. Then what? Treating a tooth is like building a house. A root canal ensures the foundation is healthy, but the structure on top must be properly constructed.

Many classical studies show that the restoration of the top of the tooth is essential to seal the tooth and prevent root canal re-infection. Greater success is observed in teeth restored with permanent restorations within 2 months of completion of the root canal treatment. Crowns are considered the restoration of choice for endodontically treated posterior teeth. In fact, statistics show root canal treated teeth not crowned are lost at a rate 6 times greater than teeth crowned after root canal therapy.

The thing to remember, then, is that even though the root canal therapy may get you out of pain, treatment isn't finished until the tooth is restored permanently.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309 (map)