AboutGary Backlund, DMD, MSD Expertise I am an Endodontist ( root canal specialist ) and can answer questions about root canals and their treatment. I cannot diagnose or treat online, but can answer general questions. I have been a specialist for 25 years and am Past President of the Washington State Association of Endodontists.
Experience 25 years practicing as a specialist
Organizations American Association of Endodonists, Past President Washington State Association of Endodontists.
Question I just acquired a really good dental plan through my work and finally made those first few scary baby steps to a dentist after having not been for about 10 years. My teeth are not as bad as I thought but I do need at least one root canal on my first molar, all the way in the back of my mouth. It has a fairly old filling in it, but there's still considerable tooth left. My question is this-after having the root canal and the tooth build up, do I necessarily have to have a crown? A co-worker had a root canal on the same tooth years ago and opted for no crown and says her tooth is perfectly fine. I understand crowns for cosmetic reasons but this tooth is a back molar so I really don't care how it looks. What do you think?
Answer Hi Lisa,
In our office, we suggest crowns on ALL back teeth...and we don't do crowns....as a way to protect the tooth from fracture and cracking. I agree, esthetics is not really an issue. It's more an issue of function. Back teeth have very strong biting forces placed on them and we see as high as 30% crack if they aren't crowned. Now obviously that means 70% don't crack, but you're taking your chances. Sometimes the crack is so bad, the tooth has to be extracted.
