A Complete Guide to the Post and Core Dental Procedure

06 May.,2024

 

A Complete Guide to the Post and Core Dental Procedure

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Post and core is a dental restoration treatment that’s sometimes performed after a root canal.

When a significant portion of a tooth’s structure is removed, a post and core can help keep a dental crown in place. Dental crowns are put on top of teeth, to protect them from further damage or infection.

In this article we’ll go over the post and core procedure from start to finish, as well as discuss what recovery looks like.

What is post and core?

During a root canal procedure, a portion of your tooth and your pulp-filled cavity in the root of your tooth is removed. The pulp contains:

  • blood vessels
  • nerves
  • connective tissue

In some instances, there may not be enough tooth left intact to return it to typical function.

When this occurs, a post and core can be performed to keep a dental crown in place, and to reconstruct, or build the missing portions of your tooth.

“In laymen’s terms, you cannot build a new house on a missing foundation,” says Dr. Cindy Roark, DMD MS, of Sage Dental. “A post in dentistry is used much like a post in a fence.”

Roark explains that posts are placed into the canal where the root of your tooth used to be. This helps retain your tooth’s core.

“The root canal houses the post, and the post retains the core buildup,” Roark says. The core replaces the missing tooth structure and foundation and supports the crown.

When is post and core used?

During a post and core procedure, the root canal must be devoid of its original pulp-filled cavity or chamber (the root is still present).

The post goes inside the canal, which is sealed during the root canal procedure. For that reason, this post and core is performed after a root canal.

Roark only recommends a post and core procedure when more than 50 percent of your tooth’s original structure is removed. In these instances, the post helps mechanically retain the dental crown and core.

The post and core procedure should not be performed if there is enough remaining tooth structure available to hold a crown in place.

How is a post and core done?

According to Patrick Campbell, DDS, LT, DC, USN, of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, there are two types of post and core procedures:

  • Prefabricated post and core. This is a pre-made unit.
  • Cast post and core. This is a one-piece unit that is custom-made at a dental laboratory. It may be constructed with multiple posts.

Your dentist will decide which type is best for you, based upon the extent of your tooth’s damage or decay.

“The important takeaway for patients is that prefabricated post and cores usually take one appointment, while cast post and cores usually take two,” says Campbell.

Pros and cons of post and core

Here are pros and cons of a post and core procedure.

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Pros

  • A post and core procedure allows you to retain your tooth, eliminating the need for an extraction and dental replacement, which may be costly.

Cons

  • Post and core procedures don’t reinforce or strengthen teeth.
  • In some instances, a post may stress or weaken your teeth over time.

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Takeaway

Post and core is a dental restoration procedure which is sometimes performed after a root canal. The purpose of a post and core is to salvage an existing tooth that has lost a significant amount of its internal structure.

A post and core helps anchor a dental crown on top of a tooth to shield it from infection and further damage.

Dental Implants: Surgery, Advantages, Risks, & Insurance

There are a couple of different types of implants that differ in how they are attached to your jawbone.

Dental implants are usually titanium posts that are permanently inserted into your jaw. They're like artificial roots that make a base onto which your dentist can attach a replacement tooth. On the other hand, dentures are substitutes for your teeth instead of replacements. Dentures are usually made of metal, acrylic, or nylon plates and porcelain teeth. They're removable and generally sit on top of your gums.

Dental implants are replacement roots for missing teeth. They're often more comfortable and help maintain your jaw and face shape better than dentures. (Photo Credit: E+/Getty Images)

Dental implants are titanium or ceramic posts inserted into your jawbone to hold artificial teeth. They act like the roots of your natural teeth to provide a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth.

You will need one or more surgical procedures to get an implant, so it's important that you have a thorough medical evaluation before you start the procedure. You want to make sure you haven't developed any conditions that may prevent you from healing well after the surgery. You will usually have a comprehensive dental exam. Your dentist will take X-rays of your teeth and jaw and make models of them.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

Insurance coverage of dental implants often depends on whether your medical or dental insurance applies, or whether both apply. Talk to your oral surgeon's office staff about the extent of your surgery and what your insurance will cover.

Dental implants may not be right for you if you:

Most people who are missing one, several, or all of their teeth are candidates for dental implants. In general, if you're healthy enough to have a tooth removed or have a root canal, you can be considered for a dental implant .

Dental implant surgery is usually an outpatient procedure that's performed in stages to allow you to heal in between. The entire procedure can take months because the bone in your jaw needs to grow and heal around the implant before the dentist can attach your artificial tooth.

You may meet with all the specialists who will be involved in your surgery, such as:

Success rates of dental implants vary, depending on your overall health and habits. But, for people with good health and oral hygiene habits, implants are successful 90%-95% of the time.

Since getting implants involves having surgery, you should expect a bit of pain. But, according to several studies, most people say that they had less pain and swelling during and after their dental implant surgery than after having a tooth removed.

After the surgery, you can usually manage your pain and swelling with over-the-counter pain medications, such as Tylenol or Motrin.

The risk of complications is minimal if your surgeon has a lot of experience performing implant surgery. But, like all surgical procedures, dental implant surgery does have potential risks:

  • Infection
  • Sinus damage
  • Nerve damage
  • Implant placed in an area that doesn't work long-term
  • Allergic reaction to the implant material (this is very rare)

Recovery times vary after surgery, but most people can get back to their normal activities in about 3 days. Right after surgery, you may have the following:

  • Swelling and bruising in your gums and face
  • Pain where your implant was placed
  • Minor bleeding

Your dentist or surgeon may prescribe you pain medicine and antibiotics. Make sure you take your medicine as prescribed by your doctor.

Any swelling or pain should get better over time, but if it doesn't, talk to your surgeon.

You may want to eat soft foods until your gums heal.

It can take several months for your jawbone to heal and grow around your implant. You'll need to go to your surgeon and dentist for follow-up visits so they can make sure you're healing well.

Long-term dental care

Dental implants require the same care as your real teeth, including brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups.

Dental implants are permanent replacement roots inserted in your jaw. Your implant will be a base for a replacement tooth, which could be a crown, bridge, or denture. Getting implants can take several dental surgeries with a few months of healing in between. But, in most cases, they're a better option than dentures, as they tend to be more comfortable and can help you chew, speak, and look better.

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