There’s a reason why keeping up with your regular dental checkups is so vital. Not only do you want your teeth to look white and straight, but you also want to catch signs of dental health issues as early as possible.
Problems like cavities and gum disease can wreak havoc on your teeth and can even impact your overall health if they get out of control. In some cases, they can call for a complete tooth extraction. If you’ve been told that you need a root canal, however, there’s no need to worry. Our gentle dentist is here to help you care for your teeth and get them back to their original state, even if that calls for a core build up.
However, understandably, dental anxiety can sometimes get in the way. After all, not everyone is familiar with what a core build up is and the fact that it needs to be done after a root canal procedure. Some patients may even be tempted to skip getting the procedure done all together because they don’t want to feel discomfort.
That’s why, in this piece, we are going to address everything you need to know about getting a core build up and why it’s so important.
What to Expect With a Core Build Up in Pineville, NC
A core build up procedure–also referred to as a post and core–is a common, relatively painless procedure used to rebuild teeth that have gone through a root canal. It is sometimes done with a dental crown procedure, which provides the tooth with a tooth-colored cover. The cover acts as a shield that protects the affected tooth from further damage or wear and tear. The “posts” in a core build up work in the same way the foundation works for a house. Your dentist will first need to clean your tooth of dead nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. They will then fill in the gap left behind, which sometimes requires posts. This is necessary because, otherwise, the tooth’s structure may collapse over time
This is where the core build up comes into play. Only after a root canal is finished can your dentist move forward with rebuilding your tooth.
Sometimes, patients may request to have everything done at the same time. However, your dentist will need to make an impression of your teeth to create a crown if it is necessary. If your procedure calls for a crown, you will be given a temporary crown to protect your tooth while you wait for your permanent crown to be finished.
Will I Need Another Core Build Up in the Future?
The materials used for a core build up are incredibly sturdy and long-lasting. Therefore, it will take many years of wear and tear for you to require one again. As long as you take care of your teeth, you can expect your results to last over 10 years. In some cases, core build ups can last up to 15 years.
Like with anything related to your oral and overall health, proper care is vital. Getting seen by your dentist regularly will ensure that the materials aren’t wearing down from overcrowding or acidity in the mouth.
If you want to make your core build up last as long as possible, it is recommended to follow a typical oral hygiene routine and brush and floss twice a day. You should also avoid using your teeth to open packages as much as possible to avoid accidentally chipping a tooth.
How Long Will a Core Build Up Procedure Be?
Typically, you can expect this procedure to take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes. The amount of time that the procedure will take depends on if your dentist needs to use posts. In some cases, posts may not be needed.
The severity of the tooth decay will also play a role in how long it will take. It’s always best to check in with your dentist to see how long they think the procedure will take. That way, you can prepare your schedule properly.
Can I Tell if I’ll Need a Core Build Up?
There’s no way to know for sure what all needs to be done to fix an oral health issue until your dentist has a look. Sometimes they will only need to look at the inside of your mouth with a small mirror to find issues. However, x-rays are also an important part of a dental exam, because they can spot issues that the human eye can’t see.
The main reason why your dentist may have to perform a core build up is because of the damage caused by a severe cavity. There are several signs that you may have severe tooth decay that needs to be addressed by a dentist. You should make an appointment right away if:
- Your breath smells bad no matter how well or how long you brush your teeth.
- You feel a sharp pain in your tooth when you bite into hot or cold foods.
- You constantly feel like you taste something sour or bitter in your mouth.
- It hurts every time you bite down, which may cause you to eat less.
- Your teeth are darkening or changing color rapidly.
In cases where you need a crown, a post will likely be necessary to attach your tooth to the crown so it stays steady.
Do All Root Canals Require a Core Build Up?
Just because you need a root canal doesn’t necessarily mean that you need a core build up. Thankfully, if caught early, tooth decay can be taken care of without the need for a root canal or a core build up. We offer preventive services, such as teeth cleanings, which help us find issues and treat them before they progress into more serious issues.
If necessary, we also offer tooth extraction services. However, a tooth extraction is only necessary when the tooth has decayed beyond repair or if it will benefit you more to have it removed completely. Because your oral health affects your dental health, your dentist will want to ensure that you get the most benefit.
Typically, you will need a core build up if your dentist sees that you’re missing half of your tooth’s structure after a root canal. Without proper protection, it’s in your best interest to move forward with a core build up and crown as soon as possible.
Can I Skip Doing a Core Build Up After a Root Canal?
Core build ups are an incredibly vital procedure. If you need a crown placed over your tooth, your dentist will have to do a core build up so that the crown stays in place. Not only is an unprotected tooth painful, but it will also wear down quickly over time and cause further issues. Shifting in a crown can also lead to rubbing against other teeth and your gums.
If you’re worried about feeling pain during the procedure, our gentle dentist is well-versed in core build ups. We make patient comfort a priority. Core build ups typically don’t take more than 30 minutes out of your day because they aren’t incredibly invasive. Furthermore, with a dentist like ours, you can expect an experience with minimal pain or discomfort.
Everyone is different, though, and some patients may feel more comfortable requesting sedation dentistry. For those that deal with dental anxiety or have concerns about a dental procedure, we also offer nitrous oxide–also called “laughing gas.” Nitrous oxide is an incredibly safe option for your sedation dentistry needs.
One of the best things about nitrous oxide is that patients will not have to deal with extreme drowsiness caused by other sedation methods. That way, you can be in and out of the office after your core build up. It works quickly and is administered painlessly with a mask.
Ultimately, regardless of whether you will need a core build up or not, the first thing you should do when you feel a sharp pain in your tooth is call your dentist. The sooner you can be seen, the sooner Dr. Desameau can give you whatever treatment is necessary. At Radiant Smiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer a variety of dental services to keep your oral health in check, including teeth cleanings with exams and dental implant restorations.
If you’ve just been told that you need a root canal, and you’re worried about the state of your tooth, we can provide you with a core build up after a root canal in Pineville, NC. Our team is licensed to care for you in a variety of ways, including top of the line sedation dentistry that will make your core build up appointment a breeze.
Call us today to schedule an appointment and take care of your oral health concerns
