Are You Able to Do a Root Canal and Crown in One Visit?

Doing a root canal and a crown on the same tooth in the same visit may seem mystical and magical, but, in reality, it just makes sense.

In the past, dentists were taught to do the root canal, place a temporary, and send the patient away. The patient would then return 3 – 7 days later to finally seal the canals and rebuild the tooth for the crown. The original reasoning behind splitting the procedure into 2 appointments was to manage any flare-ups that might occur before sealing. It was thought that if it did not flare up, then you could ensure that the tooth was ready for the next step.

Unfortunately, many dentists still subject patients to this multi-appointment method. However, advances in science have confirmed that it’s actually good sense to seal the canals on the same day a root canal is started. By doing everything in one appointment, infection is prevented and the canals are sterilized. The canals will never be more bacteria-free than at that moment. This is the perfect time to seal! Waiting only gives the bacteria time to penetrate the temporary that would need to be placed, which could possibly re-infect the tooth.

While both ways have proven to be successful, I can tell you from personal experience that I used to have many more flare-ups doing a root canal in multiple appointments than by doing it all in one appointment like I have been doing for the last 15 years. Our flare-up rate is now below 1%, which is incredible.

Now that the root canal is started and finished in the same appointment, the only thing left to do is rebuild any area of the tooth that might have been destroyed by decay or breakage, then shape that tooth for a protective crown.

With modern materials that harden immediately, there is no reason to send the patient away and prepare for the crown on a different day. The “modern” way of doing the root canal and crown in one visit has proven to be extremely beneficial for the patient’s short and long-term tooth health and, as a “side effect”, has also proven to be beneficial to our patients’ busy schedules.

To schedule your ONE VISIT root canal and crown with Modern Touch Dental, click here. For more information on root canals from the American Dental Association, click here.