Restoration of endodontically treated teeth: a review

Niger Postgrad Med J. 2004 Mar;11(1):50-7.

Abstract

The concept of restoring a pulpless tooth with post, core and/or crown is based on the belief that the root-filled tooth becomes brittle as a result of loss of moisture content. However, recent studies revealed that the moisture content of a root-filled tooth is not significantly different from that of a vital tooth. A survey of dentist' philosophies and techniques of restoring pulpless tooth conducted in the United States of America (U.S.A.) revealed that approximately 50 per cent of the respondents believed that a post would reinforce an endodontically treated tooth, while other studies reported no statistically significant advantage to reinforcing the teeth. Therefore, the concept that all anterior teeth that have received root canal therapy require posts and crowns is not supported by recent studies. But the access cavity for the root canal treatment should be as conservative as possible so that the tooth is not weakened unnecessarily. Based on a review of the literature, this article intends to provide a guideline for the restoration of endodontically treated teeth.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dental Materials
  • Dental Restoration, Permanent* / methods
  • Humans
  • Tooth, Nonvital / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Dental Materials