After a root canal treatment, your tooth is no longer alive. It has been cleaned out, the infection removed, and the inside filled. But that also means it has lost its blood supply and can become brittle over time.

That is why your dentist usually recommends a crown afterward. The crown acts like a protective cap, holding the tooth together so it does not crack under normal chewing forces.

A post becomes necessary when there is not enough natural tooth structure left to support a crown on its own. After a large cavity or trauma, you may be left with just the roots and very little of the actual tooth above the gum line.

In this situation, a crown alone would have nothing to grip onto. The post solves this by giving the crown something to anchor to. It sits inside the root canal space and sticks up above the gum line, providing a solid foundation for the crown to be cemented onto.

First, your dentist or endodontist will clean out the root canal if this has not already been done during your root canal treatment. Then a post is placed into the canal and cemented firmly in position.

Once the post is secure, your dentist builds up the core of the tooth around it using a filling material. Finally, the tooth is shaped and an impression is taken so your custom crown can be made.

Not every root canal tooth needs a post. If your dentist was able to preserve most of your natural tooth structure, a crown alone may be enough. Your dentist will assess your specific situation and recommend what is best for the long-term health of your tooth.

Do not skip the crown if it is recommended. A root canal treated tooth without one is at much higher risk of cracking or breaking, and that can mean losing the tooth entirely.

Not sure whether your root canal treated tooth needs a post and crown? Your dentist can examine your tooth and explain exactly what is recommended for your situation.