Root Canals and Crowns

America's Dental Expert Root Canals and Crowns You know it as the worst procedure to get done at the dental office. Even worse than pulling teeth! It's the dreaded root canal. I don't think I've come across a single patient who has had a GOOD root canal experience. And after every root canal, you need to protect the fragile tooth underneath with a crown. Many times I get asked when I prescribe a crown as the recommended treatment to restore a broken tooth "Do I need a root canal?" The answer is - usually not. This is another one-way street in dentistry. Every time you get a root canal you need a crown on the tooth, but NOT every time you get a crown do you need a root canal. A crown can be done on a healthy tooth and it isn't necessary to do a root canal on it. That isn't ALWAYS the case, but it usually is. Do you have a dental question for America's Dental Expert? Send your dental and other oral health related questions to America's Dental Expert, Dr. Shawn Van de Vyver, at [email protected]