Minimally invasive dentistry – Onlay restoration after root canal treatment for patients at Herident.

After a successful root canal treatment, restoring the damaged tooth is a crucial and essential step. One of the effective restoration methods today is onlay restoration, especially in cases where the tooth has been significantly fractured after root canal treatment. At Herident Dental, we apply minimally invasive techniques, helping to preserve maximum tooth structure and achieve optimal treatment results for our patients.

The importance of restoration after root canal treatment.

A successful endodontic treatment process does not stop at effectively treating the root canal system, but also ensures the long-term preservation of the tooth in the dental arch. Restoration of form, function, and aesthetics is essential for teeth that have undergone root canal treatment.

Most teeth that undergo root canal treatment suffer from hard tissue damage, such as large decay or fractures, leading to a significant reduction in their strength (up to 60-70%). According to a study in 2022, the survival rate of teeth after root canal treatment is lowest in cases where restoration is not performed.

Risks of not restoring a tooth after root canal treatment

Failure to restore a tooth after root canal treatment can lead to serious risks. Firstly, a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment tends to become more brittle, making it prone to fractures or cracks while chewing, especially in molars that endure significant biting forces.

Moreover, failing to restore the tooth in a timely manner reduces the seal of the crown, allowing bacteria to penetrate, increasing the risk of reinfection and root canal treatment failure.

For teeth with large cavities or fractures, if not restored, chewing function will be severely affected, leading to difficulties in daily activities.

Additionally, if complications such as tooth fractures or reinfection occur, the treatment process will become more complex. The patient may need tooth extraction and replacement with solutions such as a dental bridge or implant, leading to higher treatment costs and a prolonged recovery time.

Therefore, restoring the tooth after root canal treatment is essential to protect oral health and ensure proper chewing function.

The Purpose of Restoring a Tooth After Root Canal Treatment

• Restoring the shape of the tooth crown, especially for teeth with large cavities or extensive structural loss.
• Restoring the function and aesthetics of the tooth after root canal treatment.
• Preventing bacterial reinvasion that could compromise the success of the root canal treatment.
• Protecting the remaining tooth structure from fractures, thereby ensuring the tooth's long-term durability.

Methods of Restoring a Tooth After Root Canal Treatment

The methods of restoring a tooth after root canal treatment can be divided into two main categories: direct restoration and indirect restoration.

Direct Restoration

 This is an on-site tooth restoration method that does not require a dental model for prior fabrication. Commonly used techniques include:

• Dental FillingsUsing composite material to fill areas of lost tooth structure, restoring the tooth's shape and function.
• Onlay/Inlay/Overlay restoration by compositeThese materials are directly shaped on the tooth, capable of replacing the lost tooth tissue and restoring both the function and aesthetics of the tooth.

Indirect Restoration

This method requires fabricating the restoration externally before attaching it to the tooth. Common options include:

• Inlay/Onlay/OverlayThese restorations are made from materials such as ceramic or composite and are then bonded to the tooth to restore the lost tooth structure.
• Tabletop:These are ceramic or composite restorations designed to cover the tooth surface, restoring its function and shape.
• CrownRestores the entire surface of the tooth, helping to protect and reconstruct the shape of a severely damaged tooth.
• Post and Crown RestorationThis technique combines a dental crown and a metal post to stabilize the restoration on a root canal-treated tooth.
• EndocrownThis type of restoration is specifically designed to cover the entire tooth structure and preserve the remaining tooth tissue, making it especially effective for weakened, root canal-treated teeth.

Each restoration method has its own advantages and is chosen based on the condition of the tooth and the patient's aesthetic requirements.

Onlay Restoration After Root Canal Treatment at Herident

Patient information

A 25-year-old male patient visited the clinic due to pain in the upper right molar. Three days prior to the visit, he experienced severe pain in the upper right molar region, which was spontaneous, localized, non-radiating, and worsened when chewing. The patient self-medicated with painkillers but did not experience relief, prompting him to seek treatment at Herident Dental Clinic.

Diagnosis and treatment plan

Clinical Examination Findings: Tooth R17 has a large fracture involving the entire buccal surface and one-third of the occlusal surface.The lesion base appears dark brown, with soft and decayed dentin present.A pulp exposure point is detected, but there is no response to stimulation during examination.The lesion base is irregular and extends 1mm below the gingival margin.Percussion test: Both horizontal and vertical percussion elicit pain. 

The patient was indicated for complete root canal treatment (RCT) of tooth R17 and restoration of the tooth structure after endodontic treatment

After completing root canal treatment, the patient was indicated for tooth structure restoration using a ceramic onlay.

In this case, tooth R17 is challenging to restore due to a large fracture involving one-third of the buccal surface, with the lesion base extending 1mm below the gingival margin. This presents a challenge for the dentist in raising the finish line.If a traditional crown is indicated, the dentist will need to place a post and build up the core with composite to ensure adequate support and retention for the crown. 

However, this approach increases the risk of potential complications, such as misaligned post placement or root fracture during chewing, as a root with a post tends to be weaker than others.Moreover, with advancements in adhesive bonding systems, dentists can now adopt a minimally invasive dentistry approach, preserving more natural tooth structure while ensuring durable and effective restorations.4o 

Therefore, instead of a traditional crown, the dentist at Herident Dental Clinic opted for a ceramic onlay restoration. With a ceramic onlay, the dentist only needed to raise the finish line above the gingiva using composite and perform minimal tooth preparation for the onlay, rather than placing a post as in conventional methods.This approach not only restores the anatomical shape 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is it necessary to restore a tooth after root canal treatment?

After root canal treatment, the tooth becomes brittle and more prone to fracture due to the loss of hard tissue. Restoring the tooth helps to maintain chewing function, protect it from fractures, and prevent bacterial reinfection.

What is a Ceramic Onlay Restoration and Why is it Preferred in Treatment?

A ceramic onlay restoration is an indirect restoration, fabricated outside the clinic and later bonded to the tooth. This method helps preserve natural tooth structure, restore function and aesthetics, while minimizing the amount of tooth reduction required.

Is a ceramic onlay suitable for teeth with large fractures?

A ceramic onlay is an ideal choice for teeth with large fractures after root canal treatment. It can restore both the shape and function of the tooth while protecting the remaining tooth structure from further damage.

Is a ceramic onlay restoration long-lasting?

A ceramic onlay restoration is made from high-quality materials, offering excellent durability and wear resistance. With proper care, a ceramic onlay can last for a long time.

A ceramic onlay restoration is an optimal solution for restoring teeth after root canal treatment, especially for those with extensive damage. With advancements in technology and minimally invasive techniques, Herident Dental Clinic is committed to providing high-quality and effective dental care for its patients.

Learn More:

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• Successful Treatment Story: Removing White Spots on Teeth with ICON DMG Resin Infiltration at Herident